After Mathilde borrows a necklace from her wealthy friend, her life changes completely. After the ball, she is forced to accept that her existence will be very different for many years to come.
Detailed answer:
Mathilde is the main character of the short story The Necklace. According to the plot, she dreams of a rich and luxurious life. She manages to get invited to a reception with her husband. Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier.
At the reception, she is wildly successful. Everyone pays attention to her and wants to get to know her. However, after the celebration, Mathilde discovers that she has lost the necklace upon returning home. From that moment on, the life of the heroine and her husband suddenly changes forever.
They spend all the family’s savings and take on considerable debts to buy a similar jewelry piece and return it to Forestier. From now on, they are destined to live for many years in poverty. The couple is even more surprised when they accidentally meet Mrs. Forestier a few years later. She confesses to them that the accessory given to Mathilde at the ball was not real. There were no diamonds on the necklace. Mathilde is forced to admit that her foolish desire to appear wealthy and successful has changed her life for the worse. She did not appreciate what she had and, in pursuit of imaginary luxury, she lost everything.