Introduction
Guy de Maupassant is a famous French author known for his book The Necklace, a 19th-century narrative with a compelling message about society. The book narrates the story of a married woman with a desire to live luxuriously despite their lack of wealth. The woman, Mathilde, is not satisfied with the little her husband can offer, pushing them into debt and a life of misery after she loses a borrowed diamond necklace. As the story progresses, the author highlights various societal themes like social class, pride, and love interweave to create a thrilling story. This essay explores several reasons that may compel one to read the story in the modern day.
The Relevance of Guy de Maupassant’s The Necklace in the 21st Century
Symbolism
Maupassant’s book is a masterpiece that has been critically discussed for over a century to explore themes in society and the use of literary devices to convey messages. According to formalists, the story effectively uses symbolism, beginning with its title, The Necklace (Wilber). Readers can find hidden meaning in the story as they continue reading, which can help them interpret literature.
From a formalist perspective, the necklace symbolizes significant societal issues other than jewelry. In her literary analysis, Wilber states, “While the necklace is beautiful, it is ultimately worthless” (Wilber). Thus, the story symbolizes Mathilde’s character, a charming woman who is not worthy of society due to her pride and greediness.
Similarly, feminist critics have analyzed the book over the years to explore the feminism theme and societal patriarchy. Reading the book can enhance one’s knowledge and give insight into the evolution of feminism and women’s role in society then and now. Thus, the book is significant in learning about literary devices and critical analysis of feminism since the 19th century.
Societal Messages
Another reason the book is worth reading is its message to society. It demonstrates how society influences people’s lifestyles, possibly leading to their ruin. At the same time, the narrative depicts how people value material things and desire more, regardless of the implications. When Mathilde is invited to the event, she states, “No… there’s nothing so humiliating as looking poor in the middle of a lot of rich women” (Maupassant, 3).
In making this comment, Mathilde prompts her husband to realize her lack of clothes and jewelry that match those of her wealthy friends. When she is not satisfied with having a new dress only, she borrows a diamond necklace to match the outfit and societal class that would be present at the party (Nnyagu & Mbah, 90). In the end, after losing everything due to her search for status, Mathilda questions, “What would have happened if she had never lost those jewels”? (Maupassant, 5). Thus, the book is worth reading as it challenges a reader to wonder about life and how the things one desires might lead to misery.
Narrative Elements
Finally, the author gives a reason to read this book through his creative narration, vivid descriptions, and a plot twist at the end of the book. A reader can easily understand the language the author uses and relate to the scenes in the narrative from the vivid images described. For instance, the author writes, “When she sat down for dinner at the round table covered with a three-days-old cloth, opposite her husband, who took the cover off the soup-tureen, exclaiming delightedly: “Aha! Scotch broth! What could be better?” (Maupassant, 1). The description depicts the lifestyle of a middle-class couple efficiently without using direct or ambiguous words, making the story enjoyable to read.
Conclusion
To put it in another way, Maupassant’s book is reader-friendly to any audience, making it a must-read. The author twists the story in the end, making it different from typical endings like a happy ever after or tragedy. The end of the whole story is almost ironic, leaving a reader wanting to know more. The story is thrilling and has stood the test of time in conveying significant societal matters that everyone should be aware of. Thus, I would recommend the book for academic and casual reading at any time.
Works Cited
Maupassant, Guy de. “The Necklace.” Short Stories & Classic Literature for Readers & Teachers, 2022. Web.
Nnyagu, Uche, and Mbah C Victor. “Maupassant’s The Necklace as A Fictional Means of Assuaging the Illusions of Life: The Woman’s Perspective.” Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, vol. 6, no. 9, 2018, pp. 86–94. Web.
Wilber, Jennifer. “Guy De Maupassant: Two Approaches to Interpreting a Literary Work.” Critical Essay #5.