Overview

"The Necklace" is a classic short story by French author Guy de Maupassant, one of the greatest short story writers of all time. The story is a satire that delivers a strong message on human values like honesty and truthfulness. False pride and the desire to show off are shown as the cause of all suffering. We should be proud of ourselves, accept our flaws and weaknesses, and inculcate good qualities. By accepting our weakness, we improve ourselves. The story teaches that we should be content with whatever we have and be what we are. It tells us about the negative effects of pride and vanity and emphasises the importance of honesty. Ironically, Mathilde dreams of a better life but is not able to achieve it despite hard work and determination.

Learning outcomes: Recognise classic texts translated from foreign languages; discuss foreign culture through literary texts; use English words of French origin; ascertain the value of truthfulness, honesty, and lack of pretentiousness.

Section 8.1: Mathilde's Dissatisfaction (8.1)

Mathilde was one of those pretty and charming young creatures born, as if by a slip of fate, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no expectations, no way of being known, understood, loved, or married by any rich and distinguished man. So she let herself be married to a little clerk of the Ministry of Public Instruction. She dressed plainly because she could not dress well, but she was unhappy as if she had really fallen from a higher station. With women there is neither caste nor rank — beauty, grace, and charm take the place of family and birth. Natural ingenuity, instinct for what is elegant, and a supple mind are their sole hierarchy, and often make women of the people the equals of the very greatest ladies.

Mathilde continuously bemoaned being born into a family with limited means. Being poor, she could not marry a rich man and had to marry a petty clerk. Her husband provided a modest though not uncomfortable lifestyle. She was unhappy and angry at not leading a life of luxury, suffering incessantly because she felt her beauty entitled her to a higher status. Her marriage was based on compromise (Intext 8.1).

Section 8.2: Dreams of Luxury (8.2)

Mathilde suffered ceaselessly, feeling born to enjoy delicacies and luxuries. The poverty of her dwelling — bare walls, shabby chairs, ugly curtains — tortured her. The Breton peasant doing her housework aroused dreams of tapestry-hung antechambers, candelabra, footmen, silk reception halls, and perfumed rooms for chatting with famous men.

At dinner opposite her husband who delighted in soup, she dreamed of silverware, marvellous plates, and whispered gallantries. She had no gowns, no jewels, and loved nothing but luxury. She wanted to please, be envied, be sought after. Her wealthy friend Madame Forestier, a former convent schoolmate, made her sad on return visits, so she stopped going. Mathilde becomes self-conscious and withdrawn (Intext 8.2); she is best described as dissatisfied.

Section 8.3: The Invitation (8.3)

One evening her husband reached home triumphantly holding a large envelope. Inside was an invitation: the Minister of Public Instruction and Madame Georges Ramponneau requested M. and Madame Loisel's company at the Ministry palace on Monday evening, January 18th. Instead of being delighted, Mathilde threw the invitation on the table crossly, muttering what she was to do with it. Her husband had great trouble getting it — the event was very select, and few invitations went to clerks.

Mathilde asked impatiently what she was to put on her back. When he suggested her theatre gown, she wept — she had no gown and could not go. She told him to give the card to a colleague whose wife was better equipped. He asked how much a suitable gown would cost. After calculating, she said four hundred francs. He grew pale — he was saving exactly that amount to buy a gun and go shooting on the plain of Nanterre with friends. Yet he said: "Very well. I will give you four hundred francs. And try to have a pretty gown." This shows him as kind, generous, and selfless.

Section 8.4: Borrowing the Necklace (8.4)

As the party neared, Madame Loisel seemed sad and anxious — her frock was ready but she had no jewellery. Her husband suggested flowers for ten francs; she refused, saying nothing was more humiliating than looking poor among rich women. He told her to borrow from Madame Forestier. Forestier opened her jewel box: "Choose, my dear." Mathilde tried bracelets, pearls, a Venetian cross, then discovered a superb diamond necklace in a black satin box. She borrowed only that. At the party she was a great success — prettier than any woman present, elegant and wild with joy. All men looked at her; Cabinet attaches wished to waltz; the minister remarked her. She danced with rapture till 4 a.m., intoxicated by admiration.

Section 8.5: Leaving the Party (8.5)

She left about four o'clock in the morning. Her husband had been sleeping since midnight in a little deserted anteroom with three other gentlemen whose wives were enjoying the party. He threw over her shoulders the modest wraps of common life, whose poverty contrasted with her party dress. She wished to escape so as not to be remarked by women enveloping themselves in costly furs. Loisel held her back, offering to call a cab, but she did not listen and rapidly descended the stairs. They could not find a carriage and walked toward the Seine in despair, shivering with cold. At last on the quay they found an ancient night cab that took them to their dwelling in the Rue des Martyrs. All was ended for her; he reflected he must be at the ministry at ten o'clock. Monsieur Loisel's behaviour shows care and concern (Intext 8.5).

Section 8.6: The Necklace Is Lost (8.6)

She removed her wraps before the glass to see herself once more in glory — but suddenly uttered a cry. The necklace was gone. They looked among folds of her skirt, cloak, pockets, everywhere — nothing. She had felt it in the vestibule of the minister's house. They thought it must be in the cab, but neither had taken the cabman's number. Loisel put on his clothes and went back on foot over the whole route. She sat waiting in her party dress, without strength to go to bed, overwhelmed. His decision to search shows he is practical and resourceful.

Section 8.7: Replacing the Necklace (8.7)

Her husband returned about seven — he had found nothing. He went to police headquarters, newspaper offices to offer a reward, cab companies — everywhere hope urged him. She waited all day in mad fear. At night he returned hollow and pale. He told her to write that she had broken the clasp and was having the necklace mended — that would give them time. After a week they lost all hope. Loisel, aged five years, declared they must replace the ornament.

At the jeweller named in the box, he had only furnished the case — foreshadowing the necklace was not real. At the Palais Royal they found a match for thirty-six thousand francs. Loisel used eighteen thousand from his father and borrowed the rest at ruinous rates. Madame Forestier said chilly that Mathilde should have returned it sooner but did not open the case — Mathilde was relieved.

Section 8.8: Ten Years of Hardship (8.8)

Thereafter Madame Loisel knew the horrible existence of the needy. She bore her part with sudden heroism — the dreadful debt must be paid. They dismissed their servant, changed lodgings, rented a garret under the roof. She learned heavy housework and odious kitchen cares — washing greasy pots with dainty fingers, soiled linen, carrying slops and water. Dressed like a woman of the people, she bargained at shops, defending her miserable money sou by sou. Every month they met notes, renewed others, obtained more time. Her husband worked evenings on tradesmen's accounts and copied manuscript for five sous a page. This life lasted ten years. At the end they had paid everything — with usury and compound interest. Mathilde displayed frugality and heroism; Monsieur Loisel was hardworking and accepting.

Section 8.9: The Revelation (8.9)

Madame Loisel looked old — strong, hard, rough, with frowsy hair, skirts askew, red hands. Sometimes when her husband was at the office she thought of that gay evening where she had been so beautiful and admired. One Sunday on the Champs Elysees she perceived Madame Forestier, still young, beautiful, charming. She approached: "Good-day, Jeanne." Forestier did not recognise her. Mathilde identified herself; her friend cried: "Oh, my poor Mathilde! How you are changed!"

Mathilde said her poverty was because of her friend. She explained she had lost the diamond necklace, replaced it with another exactly like it, and spent ten years paying for it. Madame Forestier stopped: "You say that you bought a necklace of diamonds to replace mine?" Mathilde smiled with proud, ingenuous joy. Forestier took her hands: "Oh, my poor Mathilde! Why, my necklace was paste! It was worth at most only five hundred francs!" Mathilde's tone when confessing was proud — she had taken responsibility and made good the loss. Ironically, her sacrifice had been in vain.

Character Sketches (Textbook)

Mathilde (Madame Loisel)

Beautiful but poor; blames destiny and is discontent; wants wealth's goods; vain and proud of her looks. The only time she is truly happy is at the party when admired. In constant rebellion against circumstances despite a comfortable home and loving husband. Envious of rich friend Madame Forestier; greedy and grasping; uncaring of husband's desires — at the party she forgets him while he dozes in an empty room. Towards the end she develops maturity and bravely suffers punishment.

Monsieur Loisel

Opposite of his wife — acceptance and contentment. Never fully understands her but does his best to please: secures the exclusive invitation, gives up 400 francs saved for his gun. Indulgent at the party while she dances till 4 a.m. His eagerness to please becomes his downfall: replaces the necklace using father's legacy and works three jobs ten years without complaint. Resourceful — devises the replacement plan and orchestrates loans. Makes sacrifices without protest, protecting Mathilde rather than holding her accountable.

Literary Devices (Textbook)

Foreshadowing

When the Loisels visit the jeweller, he recognises the empty case but finds he has not sold such a necklace recently — hinting Madame Forestier's necklace was not real diamonds.

Irony

• Situational irony: Mathilde believed luxury would bring happiness; she spent ten years becoming poorer to pay for a fake necklace.
• Verbal irony: She "calmly" refuses the ball invitation claiming no dress — when she is actually upset and weeping.
• Dramatic irony: Mathilde thought the necklace was expensive and special; readers learn it was cheap paste.

Symbolism

• The diamond necklace symbolises wealth and everything Mathilde lacked.
• The fake necklace symbolises Mathilde's pretentiousness — her belief she deserved riches and societal esteem.

Key Themes — What Have You Learnt

• Excessive vanity and pursuit of superficial appearances can be dangerous.
• Wealth and social status can be illusory.
• Seemingly small decisions can have significant, long-lasting consequences.
• Appreciate simple joys; do not be led by unrealistic desires.
• Be honest and truthful; lack of pretentiousness saves suffering.