Introduction
Literature as a Method of Human Expression
Literature is a medium that lets people express their creative potential in writing. By creating stories and narratives, writers are able to discuss and dissect topics that are both interesting to them and topical to society at large. Written language as a medium of creating meaning has a large number of layers, constructing understanding at a basic emotional and deeper comprehensive level. Through reading and writing works of literature, people get to think about the world they live in, about the presuppositions and traditions we come to know, the wondrous and unexpected, as well as that which is shared in the common human experience. In light of the importance placed on written fiction in society, some works of art are considered to be more vital, more monumental, for a variety of reasons. Some of them are the first example of a particular style, or a documented shift in the medium, while others present narratives of great cultural importance.
The criteria by which stories are noted and remembered is strictly arbitrary, but it cannot be denied that most works considered to be “classics”, those that are taught to children, present cultural, artistic, and historic importance. Through their examination, one can come to better understand the people of days past, the traditions and habits permeating their society, as well as to see a reflection of their reality on paper. Thematically, works of literature often talk about the universal through specific experiences, connecting with the reader by making them see parallels to reality in fiction.
Ideas of people’s identity are often explored in literature. Identity is something a person forms through their life, something that is shaped by themselves as much as by their environment. By interacting with others, living through particular events, and learning, people get to become themselves, to form a particular relationship with the world around them and the people in it. This process can be influenced by various other factors that are discussed in the literature, such as a person’s status and class. The individual’s lineage, wealth, manners, social circle, interests, they all comprise what is known as their niche in society. Written word takes up perspectives of all kinds of people from most miserable to most fortunate. The opportunities given to a person from their social standing, or a lack thereof, strongly influence how they interact with others and see themselves.
Class, Identity and the Themes “The Necklace”
A class, especially in times of the past, was often something you had no power over, a slot of society you had no choice but to reside in. For some, it brought happiness and satisfaction, for others, it was a source of struggle and discontent. The class was a limiting factor and a point from which other people could understand one’s social significance. In Guy de Maupassant’s short story “The Necklace”, the main heroine is caught in a struggle between her real and perceived status, becoming an initial trigger for the main conflict. Class is depicted as something that differentiates people’s lifestyles in the story, a defining factor for Mathilde’s personal happiness. In the light of not having been born into wealth, the woman puts on appearances. The act of pretense as a method of living is explored and ridiculed in the story, serving as the main interest point for the potential reader. Mathilde’s actions and behavior are used as a signifier of the position she was “born for”, a way for the heroine to get something she feels is owed to her – a high social status. The need to actively present oneself in an exaggerated manner is what, in essence, brings about the conflict of the story, and hurts Mathilde the most. The unnecessary need to impress others and maintain one’s public image is lampshaded and criticized in the work, mainly through showing the consequences of such behavior to the audience.
The Plot and The Characters
The plot, in essence, is focused on two characters: Mathilde Loisel and her husband. The lady is the main point-of-view character, who is shown to us to be discontent with her way of life. Having been born into a middle-class family, she was denied an opportunity for a lavish, beautiful life she dreamed of. She spends her days thinking about the things she feels “deprived of”, a kind of carefree existence that is only accessible to those that have the privilege of having money and status. Her incessant desire to be someone of high social status is understandable, and easily recognizable from the first few sentences of the story, however, Mathilde’s seeming obsession with her own perceived importance stops her from truly appreciating the things she has. Her husband, a middle-of-the-road clerk, while not having much money to his name, truly tries to understand his wife and help her when she needs it. His monetary savings are insufficient to truly make her life as rich as she would want it to be, but he still tries to be both helpful and understanding for her sake. Despite having saved for a gun to hunt with, he readily decides to give the money to his wife, saying “Very well. I will give you four hundred francs. And try to have a pretty gown” (de Maupassant). Both characters have a diametrically opposite way of looking at status, with Mathilde seeing her life position as something shameful and in need of hiding, and her husband treating it with a sense of normalcy. The difference can be attributed as the main reason why the former feels the need to amplify her social status in front of others, and is deeply unsatisfied with her position.
Mathilde’s husband seems to be overall content with his position in life, he is content with being a representative of the middle class without excessive wealth. The same, however, cannot be said about his wife. Mathilde’s entire being in the first part of the story hinges on her social standing. Having had an ability to dress well for the party, the woman feels the happiest she has been in a long time while dancing and feigning an appearance of a high-class citizen. Mathilde’s self-image and self-perception are tightly interconnected with her ability to appear elegant and regal, which is why she was beside herself when trying on the jewelry her friend lent her. Later on in the story, the reader can further see the dichotomy between reality and fakery in the form of the titular necklace. Seen by Mathilde, and the people around her, as a symbol of wealth and prestige, the piece of jewelry forms a central part of the narrative. For the heroine, an ability to wear the necklace is akin to finally realizing her true potential, being seen by society for who she truly feels she is. Madame Forestier, the original owner of the necklace, is seen by Mathilde as an epitome of a well-off lady, something she feels most similar to. However, despite their similarities, and the perceived exceptionalism of their status, neither of them could truly measure the value of the necklace. Mathilde did not notice that the accessory she was wearing was a replica, and Madame Forestier could not see the difference between the one she had and a genuine article. The inability of two women to truly understand the worth of the necklace is reflective of the arbitrary nature of social status and the need to keep up appearances.
Major Themes and Ideas
Social Class in Contemporary Society
Social Class is a notion deeply ingrained into the culture and tradition of many societies. Used as a way to differentiate people according to their wealth and prestige, it has been a defining trait of many societies. In many ways, social status also dictates how a person is treated, what is expected of them, and the kinds of people they interact with. In the modern times, the concept of a social class has been significantly degraded, but at the time of writing “The Necklace”, the 19th century, it was still mostly prevalent. For a woman during that time, as noted both by the short story itself and historic records, one’s status defined the kinds of daily tasks a lady would perform. Middle-to-low income people were mostly occupied with work and more manual labor, often having to do house chores by themselves or with limited assistance. Those pertaining to higher classes, on the contrary, could often indulge in more leisure activities due to having servants and monetary security (Gleadle). Education and the ability to receive knowledge were also more widespread among the rich, making it easier for them to enjoy a variety of different activities (Bernstein). More wealth also meant an ability to indulge in various decorum, clothing and accessories, all of which were far less accessible to the common folk.
In the short story, the reader can see that Mathilde dreams exactly of such a lifestyle, a living devoid of hard work and defined by her ability to do things to her leisure. She felt utterly alienated from her own household because it paled in comparison to what she imagined herself to be entitled to. As stated in the text: “She thought of silent antechambers hung with Oriental tapestry, illumined by tall bronze candelabra, and of two great footmen in knee breeches who sleep in the big armchairs, made drowsy by the oppressive heat of the stove” (de Maupassant). Descriptions the author uses reveal Mathilde’s deep-seated dissatisfaction with a life someone of similar standing would have considered good or normal.
Appearance as a Way of Signaling Status
In many cases, a person’s clothing and overall appearance can be telling of their social standing, and that is not an exception in this short story. Clothing is largely determined by the kinds of materials a person can afford, and whether they can spend their money on something less necessary than everyday outfits. One’s dressing can be especially telling about their standing among other people, and define how they will be treated in return. As it is noted by the text, Madame Loisel was from a middle-income household, and her husband could afford her some purchases purely to satisfy her desire to look good. Before the part, the audience gets to learn that Mathilde has one dress – the one that she wears to the theatre. This fact can tell the reader that her family is rich enough to visit the theater on a regular basis but not well-off enough to have more than one set of clothes for the occasion. When preparing for the party, the heroine’s husband indulges her in buying another dress but does not have the ability to provide her with matching accessories. The moderate spending, which is noted to be rather laborious for the husband, is indicative of the two’s low social status and class. Later on in the story, it is also noted that Mr. Loisel’s father left him a sum that is not even enough to cover the cost of the replacement diamond necklace. The family has to work for 10 years and deny themselves a lot of previous necessities only to pay of debt from buying the jewelry piece. In this way, the description of the family’s financial situation and their struggle to buy things can be seen as a signifier of their class. The overall state of the pair can be seen as an explanation for their respective behavior, and the main source of tension in the work.
The family’s position can also be used to further contextualize the feelings of being deprived that Mathilde experiences. With Madame Loisel’s change in status, her attire and appearance also change. Before the party, she is often noted to be graceful, elegant, beautiful, having the mannerisms and ambitions of a rich person. Having to work manual labor and pay off debt, however, has changed her drastically. She now looked much older, her clothing much simpler and her appearance rougher. Mathilde’s exterior changed to match the circumstances imposed on her by life (Simandan). Having become “strong and hard and rough” (De Maupassant), the woman is now the epitome of the poor working-class family of the time, having much fewer concerns over her life and appearance. The change is so radical that even her supposed friend, Madame Forestier has a hard time recognizing her at face value. While it is uncertain, it can also be noted that the woman’s dissatisfaction and resentment of her life have come to pass, exchanged for the daily openness and busywork of common life.
Social Status and Identity
Identity is a person’s whole being and perception of oneself, as created in collaboration with their surroundings. As a part of a person’s character that is largely informed by their surroundings, identity was often something individuals created based on traits shared with a group with others. Nationality, race, gender, and other large identifiers are all often used to construct a person’s being. Social status can also be considered an influential component towards cultivating an identity and can often create a particular type of person as a result (Manstead). Mathilde, in my opinion, uses social status as the core foundation for her identity. Throughout the story, her status changes, and with it, her appearance and behaviors also change. Mathilde’s actions and thoughts are in large part informed by her desire to become closer to her “ideal” image of her status, and she often imagines the life she would lead if born into wealth. Personally, I think that this attitude is tied to the fact that the woman has connected her identity to her social status in an unhealthy manner. The disparity between the imagined and the reality brings her pain, and the monetary conditions of her household are not suitable to quell that pain. Her self-image does not match the conditions she lives in, and she presently does not have any way to change this fact. As a result, even simple tasks of her daily life bring Mathilde dissatisfaction, as she sees living as an unjust struggle.
At first, she adamantly refuses to visit the party her husband got her tickets for, in large part due to the inability to match to her own standards for the occasion. Once she is able to secure both a suitable dress for the occasion and some jewelry, the woman’s attitude soon changes in a positive direction. The audience can see the “dysphoria” of Mathilde be calmed when her appearance matches with her self-perception. During the party, the lady can finally feel like the center of attention, free and in her element, as the need to present as a member of high society is fulfilled by the combination of her setting, clothing, and behavior. The ability to appear more beautiful than anyone at the party, catch sights of other men at the gathering, and dance to her heart’s content fulfilled Mathilde’s sense of belonging, made her a part of the group she desperately based her existence around. This temporary performative allegiance to a group Madame Loisel has managed to get, however, stopped right after losing the necklace. While the woman still held onto her pride, she was no longer able to abide by the strict and posh rules of high society, having the issue of paying for the lost necklace looming over her.
After returning the necklace to her friend, Mathilde once again had to adopt a new identity, one that was in an even larger part shaped by her circumstance. Being forced into manual labor, the woman’s appearance was not the only part that changed, as the core of her very being was altered by the experience. She now more closely identified with the struggles of the poor, having to experience and live through them first-hand, and has also developed a loudness more characteristic of women that needed to make themselves heard. The narrative paints a picture of a far more simple, less ambitious about her position in life, and tired by the constant need to work. I think that the narrative presented by the story portrays two things in an intriguing amount of detail: the way one’s environment affects their self-image, and how pretense can bring about dissatisfaction and disappointment. Mathilde’s actions and character change drastically throughout the story, and all of the changes were primarily fueled by a need to answer to an extenuating circumstance. The main reason why Madame Loisel had to go through the suffering she did was precise because of her incessant need to identify with a group she did not belong to, which, as a consequence brought about further misfortune in her life.
Conclusion
Literature is a vehicle for expressing ideas, a method to discuss, present, and organize thought for other people to understand. Throughout history, the written language has served as one of the primary ways of translating the meaning, utilizing the art of pen and paper to both ponder the intricacies of the human experience and form understanding with others. In many cases, literary art is utilized to bring up themes and ideas that are more ethereal in nature, to explore societal phenomena in a safe environment. In the case of classic literature, themes and topics presented often coincide with the main concerns that visit people in their lives, and the types of struggles individuals have to face in their lives.
The Necklace, written by Guy de Maupassant, is an interesting, although short commentary on a number of issues, including class differences, identity, and people’s tendency to put on appearances. The text presents a narrative that encourages readers to critically examine the actions of the main character, lampoons their behavior through dramatic irony, and delivers a universally relatable message. The author tries to make the readers understand that the practice of trying to impress others with your achievements or social standing is an ultimately pointless task and that the true value of any object is determined by the individual, not by its price. The main protagonist of the story, Madame Mathilde Loisel, is a dishonest person, having lived most of her life in dreams of a better life. She feels that she deserves something better than she has, seeing herself as an unfortunately misplaced damsel in distress that was made for a rich life. Having been born into a middle-class family and married to a man in the same wealth range, she never had the ability to realize her dreams, harboring a deep-seated dissatisfaction with all aspects of her social position. This discrepancy between her desires and reality has manifested in the woman’s need to present an appearance of wealth and fortune onto others. All of this information is presented to the reader through the combination of a narrative description and Mathilde’s dialogue with her husband while preparing for the party. She puts in her best efforts to create a perfect image of herself before the attendees of the party, basking in the attention and validation it gives her. As the reader can understand from the woman’s dissatisfaction with her daily life, such an opportunity does not present itself before her often, making the occasion especially memorable for the heroine.
The inability to experiment with the true joys of a rich and carefree life eats away at Mathilde, making her unable to appreciate the humble household and the loving husband she has. She feels the need to present herself as a character that has no chance of ever becoming true and misses the good parts of her life in the process. After the party, her life changes abruptly, now having to pay back for all the loans she and her husband took to pay for the necklace. The plunges the pair’s social status into the ground, costing them the limited privileges they already had. The change affects Mathilde both physically and mentally, affecting a change in her appearance as well as her whole identity. Her looks become more rough with the change in her daily routine, her clothing changes, no longer much concerned with appearances and favoring practicality. Mathilde becomes a straightforward, loud-mouthed, and hardworking woman, much removed from the high society she felt destined for. The need to face the consequences of her choices is what has driven the lady to this point, and can be considered retribution for the deception she engaged in before that.
mouThe entire narrative is presented as a critique of the expensive and lavish lifestyle, categorizing people that adhere to it as shallow and unable to truly understand the value of particular things beyond its appearance, as was the case with the necklace. The fakeness and the performative nature of the main heroine’s actions are also recognized by the narrative and punished through having to live a rough life of a commoner. This type of lampshading is often used to make people consider the aspects of their life they did not pay attention to in a new light. By effectively showcasing the futility of pretend status, this work succeeds in sparking conversation.
Works Cited
Manstead, Antony S. “The Psychology of Social Class: How Socioeconomic Status Impacts Thought, Feelings, and Behaviour.” British Journal of Social Psychology 57.2 (2018): 267-91. Print.
De Maupassant, Guy. “Short Stories: The Necklace by Guy De Maupassant.” East of the Web. Web.
Gleadle, Kathryn. British Women in the Nineteenth Century. Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2001. Print.
Bernstein, Basil B. “SOCIAL CLASS, LANGUAGE AND SOCIALISATION.” Linguistics and Adjacent Arts and Sciences (1974): 1545-562. Print.
Simandan, Dragos. “Rethinking the Health Consequences of Social Class and Social Mobility.” Social Science & Medicine 200 (2018): 258-61. Print.