It’s relatively easy to summarize “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. The story is concise, and the author deliberately chose this format to deliver an innovative and unexpected ending. Some critics call it a “Cinderella tale in reverse” as there is no “lived happily ever after” – after the ball, the protagonist becomes poorer than ever before.
“The Necklace” summary below will explain the plot and show why its composition is so unique. We will also present:
- A 100-word summary of “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
- The story’s plot structure
- A detailed synopsis with an analysis
📚 The Necklace Short Summary in 100 Words
Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful woman unhappy with her mediocre surroundings, dreams of a luxurious, upper-class life. When her husband gets an invitation to a ministerial party, she sees it as an opportunity to get closer to her desired lifestyle. She borrows a diamond necklace from a friend and has the time of her life at the ball.
On their way home, Mathilde loses the necklace. The couple borrows money to buy a similar piece, throwing themselves into poverty for the following ten years. When the debt is paid, Mathilde again meets her friend, who tells her the original necklace was fake.
💡 Plot of The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant Explained
“The Necklace” follows a traditional plot structure, building suspense and effectively delivering its famous twist:
- The introduction provides basic information about the setting and characters to the reader.
- Rising action introduces the conflict and brings readers to the climax. The moment when Mathilde loses the necklace is when the story reaches its highest point.
- A climax is a part where the characters are put under the biggest stress or tension (looking for the necklace.)
- In falling action, large troubles recede, although the conflict remains unresolved – the Loisels now have to pay off an enormous debt.
- Resolution is a part of a story that settles the conflict. In “The Necklace,” it is a place for the plot twist.
Read on to learn more about each part!
✍️ Detailed Summary of The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
Introduction: Meet Mathilde Loisel
Mathilde is introduced as a person deeply unsatisfied with her life. She is “pretty and charming” but comes from a modest family. Her husband is a clerk at a Ministry. Mathilde craves expensive things and a luxurious lifestyle, spending her life daydreaming.
She had no dresses, no jewels, nothing.
The Necklace, Narrator
She was unhappy as if she had once been wealthy.
The Necklace, Narrator
She would have given anything to be popular, envied, attractive, and in demand.
The Necklace, Narrator
Rising Action: Mathilde Gets an Invitation
The conflict starts when Monsieur Loisel invites Mathilde to a ministerial party. He thinks this opportunity will bring some joy to his wife. However, Mathilde reacts with complaints that she has nothing appropriate to wear and adorn herself with.
Instead of being delighted, as her husband had hoped, she threw the invitation on the table resentfully, and muttered: “What do you want me to do with that? […] And what do you expect me to wear if I go?”
The Necklace, Mathilde Loisel
She needs a new dress, so her husband agrees to give the 400 francs he has saved for a hunting rifle. When she mentions needing jewelry, he suggests she borrow something from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier. Mathilde follows his advice and gets a lavish diamond necklace. She is ecstatic, feasting her eyes on her mirror reflection wearing the jewelry.
Her hands trembled when she picked up the necklace.
The Necklace, Narrator
Climax: The Party’s Aftermath
Mathilde enjoys everyone’s attention as the most beautiful lady at the event there. At 4 AM, she spots her husband napping in an empty room, and they leave. He covers her shoulders with a wrap and suggests waiting inside while he finds a cab, but she rejects the proposition. She is ashamed of her overcoat, which is too modest compared to the fur coats of the other visitors.
The Loisels walk until they catch a cab. At home, Mathilde notices that the necklace has disappeared from her neck. They spend a week looking for it but with no luck.
She danced madly, ecstatically, drunk with pleasure, with no thought for anything, in the triumph of her beauty, in the pride of her success…
The Necklace, Narrator
How small a thing is needed to make or ruin us!
The Necklace, Narrator
Falling Action: The Loisels Replace the Necklace
With the necklace nowhere to be found, the Loisels decide to buy a similar one from a local jeweler for 36,000 francs. To afford it, they have to mortgage everything they own.
Mathilde gives the new purchase to Madame Forestier as if it were the original piece. Madame Forestier doesn’t notice the difference; she’s just annoyed with how long it took Mathilde to return it.
With an enormous debt to pay, the Loisels descend into poverty. Mathilde makes herself busy with all the hard and dirty housework while her husband works three jobs. Their hardships last for ten years. Although Mathilde is now worn and tired, she still fondly looks back on her triumph night.
Frightened by the pains yet to come, by the black misery which was about to fall upon him, […] he went to get the new necklace.
The Necklace, Narrator
Her hair badly dressed, her skirts awry, her hands red, she spoke in a loud tone, and washed the floors in large pails of water.
The Necklace, Narrator
Resolution: Twist Ending
Once the debt is repaid, Mathilde meets Madame Forestier by chance. The latter can’t recognize her withered face, so Mathilde introduces herself, blaming Madame Forestier for causing such changes in her appearance and life. She finally tells the truth about losing the necklace and replacing it with a new one that cost a fortune.
Madame Forestier is astounded to hear this. She tells Mathilde that the necklace was actually fake, worth only 500 francs.
Yes, I’ve been through some hard times since I saw you, very hard times. And it was all on your account.
The Necklace, Mathilde Loisel
Oh, my poor Mathilde! Mine was an imitation! It was worth five hundred francs at most!
The Necklace, Madame Forestier
Guy de Maupassant created suspense and a plot twist in the short story. However, the plot is not the only intriguing aspect of “The Necklace.” You can explore the Q&A, list of topics, and other sections of our guide to learn more about the depth of the story’s meaning.