Although it may appear to be challenging to determine the setting of “The Necklace”, the author leaves some clues. They help identify that the story takes place in France, namely Paris. As for the historical epoch, it is the end of the 19th century.
Detailed answer:
The Necklace or The Diamond Necklace is a short story written by French author Guy de Maupassant. It was published in 1884 in the newspaper Le Gaulois. This work of literature is popular for its ironic ending, which is a characteristic feature of the author’s style. It describes the story of a woman willing to receive more blessings in her life. She commits a serious mistake, which causes serious consequences in the long run. The woman has to pay an unaffordable price for her dreams to become a reality.
First of all, it is essential to define the term “setting” in the context of literary works. It implies both the location and time where and when all the sequence of the events happens. The first point may be identified imprecisely, for instance, by identifying the country. The author may also specify the setting by adding the name of a city or street or describing a house. The same goes for the time, which can be determined by including a precise date. Another approach implies mentioning the epoch when the action of the story happens.
As for the story of The Necklace, at first glance, it may appear to be challenging to identify a setting. Guy de Maupassant leaves some clues, which can clarify this issue. For instance, he mentions currency, characteristic locations, landmarks, and other titles. These tell us that the location for the story is France.
It is evident because the narrator mentions such forms of currency as francs, louis, and sous. The author also uses French titles ‘M. and Mme’ and street names, namely Rue des Martyrs and Champs Elysees Avenue. The latter is one of the most famous streets in Paris. The narration is also connected with precise locations, and the first one is Mathilde Loisel’s apartment. Although the furniture is plain, the character has everything they need. The narrator does not mention exactly where it is situated, thoughhe provides the description of the dwelling.
Another place where some parts of the events happen is the house of her school friend. The next location is a gorgeous ballroom, where Mathilde enjoys the evenings in a wealthy society. However, after losing her necklace, the character has to move to another apartment, which is less pricey. The final scenes are connected with Champs-Elysees, which is a fashionable boulevard in Paris. Therefore, the readers encounter a great number of places in Paris throughout the narration.
Furthermore, some moments of the plot are connected with the palace of the Ministry. It is located nearby the main river in Paris, namely the Seine. As for the time when the events happen, it is likely to refer to the end of the 19th century. The story may also be describing the beginning of the 20th century. This is the period when the story was written and published.