“The Necklace” is a short story just around 6 pages long. Despite its brevity, it’s endlessly intriguing. Why is Mathilde so fixated on the necklace? How could she possibly lose it? Can we call her actions heroic? So many questions arise after reading the story – and we’re here to provide you with the answers.
Below, you will find expertly curated Q&A on “The Necklace.” Every question is followed by a brief explanation, and if you want to see detailed answers, just click on the links.
The Necklace Q&A
The author of “The Necklace” is Guy de Maupassant.
“The Necklace”, written by Guy de Maupassant, does not explicitly indicate when it takes place. Since it was written in 1884, the story should take place during the late 19th century. This was the period of both great prosperity and terrible poverty.
The short story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant explores various themes. These include reality and illusion, women and beauty, greed, sacrifice, and happiness.
The tone of Guy de Maupassant’s short story “The Necklace” is tense, pessimistic, and ironic. Throughout the narrative, a bitter atmosphere prevails, matching the protagonist’s state of mind. The story’s tone brightens as Mathilde Loisel attends a ball wearing a borrowed diamond necklace. When the piece of jewelry gets lost, the atmosphere becomes even gloomier and more desperate.
Symbolism is a powerful literary device employed by Guy de Maupassant in “The Necklace”. There are several symbolic objects, but the most important are the necklace, Madame Loisel’s wraps, and her dress
The primary meaning of “The Necklace” is that greed and vanity can ruin a person’s life. It also shows that pursuit of material wealth and status doesn’t bring happiness – on the contrary, it often leads to unnecessary suffering.
After Mathilde borrows a necklace from her wealthy friend, she feels as if her dream of a rich and luxurious life finally came true. However, after losing the necklace, she is forced to accept that she is going to live in poverty for many years to come.
Mme. Jeanne Forestier learns from Mathilde Loisel that she and her husband replaced her fake necklace with real diamonds. At first, she is surprised by the appearance of her friend – she feels sorry for Mathilde. Forestier does not understand why her friend did not tell her the truth.
The story takes place in France, namely Paris, at the end of the 19th century. This historical period is characterized by economic prosperity and a strict divide between social classes, which plays a key role in shaping Mathilde’s personality and desires.
The climax in Guy de Maupassant’s story “The Necklace” is the culmination of the events. When Mathilde and her husband come back from the party, they realize that the expensive necklace she borrowed is gone. This is when the course of the narrative changes.
Guy de Maupassant does not specify the exact place and time of loss. Mathilde Loisel, the charming young wife of a clerk, borrows an expensive diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Joanne Forestier. She does it to fit in with the wealthy people she would meet at the ball. As a result, she gains the anticipated attention from men and high society. She enjoys the evening but eventually loses the accessory.
Personification is a technique that gives inanimate objects human qualities. “The Necklace” has various examples of this literary device. The short story personifies fate, apartments, night cabs, and even the human heart.
Foreshadowing is a clue to readers about events that will happen later. In “The Necklace”, the author uses foreshadowing in the scene with the protagonist’s friend, Madame Forestier, who quickly agrees to lend an expensive-looking piece of jewelry. The easiness with which Madame hints at the fact that the necklace is fake.
The main character is a young Parisian woman named Mathilde Loisel. Before losing the necklace at the ball, she was dissatisfied with her looks because she didn’t appear wealthy. Before losing the necklace at the ball, she looked her best.
Madame Loisel is the main character of “The Necklace”. She undergoes a radical change from being preoccupied with material possessions to discovering appreciation of what one has in life.
One example of alliteration in “The Necklace” includes the letter “t”. It is in the phrase “attended the party and attracted everyone’s attention.” Another is the repetition of “m” in “…madame. I must have merely supplied the clasp.”
In the translation of Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace”, the word “rapture” expresses a high degree of joy. Madame Mathilde Loisel “danced with rapture” in this story. It means that the main character was delighted with what was happening around her. Rapture means strong admiration or even ecstasy.
I agree that Madame Loisel’s efforts to pay off her debts are heroic. The protagonist of “The Necklace” undergoes significant changes. She goes from an extravagant and mean woman to a hardworking and humble person.
The general mood in “The Necklace” is ironic. It is filled with tense and grim storytelling elements. The given spirit is there from the beginning of the story. It illustrates a high level of the unhappiness of Madame Loisel with her life and her status.
The exposition of the story reveals the protagonists’ traits, which are closely tied to the common traits of Maupassant’s generation. Exposition also presents the inner conflict within Matilde, who is unhappy with her social position and dreams of being rich.
The antagonist in Maupassant’s story is not so much a person as a negative feeling. The protagonist, Mathilde, is consumed by greed and desire to seem better and more prosperous than she is. This feeling brings trouble to the main character.
The story of “The Necklace” takes place in Paris, France, during the late 19th century. This is made clear from the story’s beginning. The city’s emphasis on luxury and fashion makes Mathilde crave a wealthier life.
The resolution of the short story reveals that the lost necklace was an imitation. But Madame Loisel worked hard to compensate for it. Mathilde and her husband spent ten years repaying for a worthless piece of jewelry. During that time, Mathilde lost her youth and beauty.
We hope you’ve found answers to all of your questions about “The Necklace” here! Check out other articles in our study guide to learn more about this exciting short story.