The Necklace Summary | Guy de Maupassant

 "The Necklace Summary", it is a short story by French writer Guy de Maupassant. It is known for its twist ending (ironic ending), which was a hallmark of de Maupassant's style. The story was first published on 17 February 1884 in the French newspaper Le Gaulois.


Synopsis of The Necklace, Synopsis of The Necklace
The Necklace Summary


The Necklace Summary

The role of the events of the story takes place in Paris in the 19 century, at a time when the gap between social classes in France was widening. The story tells the life of Mathilde loessel, unhappy and dissatisfied with the modest environment in which she lives, and, as is clear, Mathilde will make her choices in the hope of rising above her social class, but her choices lead her to her personal, financial and social downfall.

In this short story Maupassant exploits the thesis of social determinism, which he illustrates with the behaviors of Mathilde Lucille, resulting from the societal influence to which she is exposed. The story has been acted in film and television several times.

Madame Mathilde luiselle always imagines herself as an aristocrat, although she was born into a lower-middle-class family, born without the planning of her parents; she is, as they say, an "accident of fate" (French: d'accident du destin). Mathilde married a poorly paid employee (government clerk), whose name in the story is Monsieur luisel, that is, Mr. luisel, he always tries his best to make her happy, but she has nothing to offer. By begging at work her husband is able to get an invitation to each of them from an important person from the party of the Ministry of Education. Mathilde refuses to go to the party because she doesn't have nice clothes to wear, and she doesn't want to be embarrassed in front of the upper class.

Mr. Loisel is upset to see his wife upset; he loves her very much and wants to see her happy. Using all the money he had saved to buy a hunting rifle, Mathilde gives 400 francs to his wife to buy luxurious clothes. Mathilde buys a dress but is still unhappy because she lacks jewelry. The couple did not have much money, so her husband suggests that she buy flowers to wear with him, but Mathilde does not agree with him and he suggests that she borrow something from Mrs. Jeanne forester, who is her friend. Mathilde borrows the most expensive piece from Mrs. Forrester; a huge diamond necklace. Matilde goes to the party and impresses everyone, even the owner of the party dances with her, and after a good night, she immerses herself in the life of joy that she thinks she deserves, and when the party ends, Matilde discovers that she has lost the necklace. She tries to find a quick way to replace it, so she goes to the "ballet-Royal" store and finds a similar contract priced at 40 thousand francs, but after a long argument she manages to get it for 36 thousand francs. Over the next ten years, Mathilde becomes old, abandons her maid, the couple sells everything they own, and also guarantees loans at high interest rates to pay for the contract.

Ten years later, having paid off the entire debt, Mathilde, walking along the Champs Elysees, suddenly sees Madame Forestier, whom she hardly knows in her rather cheap clothes. While you are talking to each other, the real Mathilde tells that she lost the contract and replaced it by buying a new one for 40 thousand francs, and that it is because of Mrs. Forestier and the contract; she has lived her life horribly and boring for the past ten years. Mrs. Forestier is stunned. Madame Forestier takes Matilde's hand and she explains to her with irony and amazement that her original necklace was a fake; "made of artificial diamonds", and that it is worth no more than 500 francs.

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Questions about The Necklace Plot

What is a short summary of the story necklace? Guy de Maupassant wrote his short story, "The Necklace", in the third person point of view. It is the story of a beautiful young woman born to a non-wealthy family; she marries but dreams of an affluent life. Unfortunately, these dreams of a different life eventually lead to her downfall.

What is the central idea of The Necklace? Answer and Explanation: The central idea or theme of "The Necklace" is that one should not take what one has for granted. Mathilde, the protagonist of the story, is not satisfied with her life. She thinks her husband, their home, and their lifestyle is beneath her.

What does the ending of The Necklace mean? Does this ending have a "point"? According to one common reading of "The Necklace," it's all about how bad pride is. If Mathilde had just been honest and told Mme. Forestier she had lost the necklace, she would have learned it was a fake and avoided the whole thing. It's only pride that keeps her from doing that.

Who is the main character in The Necklace? The protagonist of the story. Mathilde Loisel has been blessed with physical beauty but not with the affluent lifestyle she yearns for, and she feels deeply discontented with her lot in life.

What kind of a woman is Mathilde? Mathilde is a raging, jealous woman who will do anything in her power to reverse the “mistake of destiny” that has plunged her into what she perceives as a wholly inappropriate and inadequate life.

Why did she suffer in The Necklace? Mathilde Loisel, the main character in Guy de Maupassant's short story "The Necklace," is the embodiment of insecurity and greed. Her desire to appear wealthy cause her and her husband ten years of misery and ruin any chance she might have had to climb the social ladder.

What is the summary of Mathilde Loisel? Madame Mathilde Loisel, is a round and dynamic character. As a young, married woman, Madame Loisel is pretty and charming, but her vanity makes her feel entitled to more than what she has. In fact, because of her looks, she believes Fate has made a mistake, that she was destined for more.

What is the climax of The Necklace? In "The Necklace," the climax occurs when the Madame Loisel realizes that the necklace, she borrowed from a friend is truly lost. In literature, the climax is the point where the conflict cannot get any worse; or it is the last exciting event that brings the story to a point.

Why is the necklace irony? The plot of "The Necklace" has situational irony because after replacing her friend's expensive-looking necklace, and working for ten years to pay off the debt, Mme. Loisel finds out it was fake!.

Why did Mathilde lose the necklace? When Mathilde meets Madame Forestier, she finds out that the diamonds were fake and cheap. Hence, the young woman simultaneously lost the necklace, ten years of her life, and a chance for a luxurious life.

What did Mathilde learn at the end of the story? However, it isn't until the very end, after the necklace has been paid for, that Mathilde learns the one she borrowed was a fake. While the reader never sees her reaction to the news, you can infer she learned that just because something looks valuable doesn't mean it really is.

What kind of a story is The Necklace? Genre. The Necklace is a fictional short story in the genre of Realism. Sub-genres include irony, for its surprise ending, and morality tale, for important lessons it offers the reader.

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