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.
Detailed answer:
The Necklace is an excellent example of a short story with an intriguing plot. In this novel, de Maupassant raises several questions about life’s problems. He talks about the conflict of desires and opportunities, the bourgeoisie’s detrimental effect on the soul, and social disparity. The story shows socioeconomic struggles by following the life of Madame Loisel and her husband, a clerk with a humble income.
The novel’s overall setting and plot show that the story belongs to the late 19th century. In that period, the Western world experienced rampant technical and social development. Many wealthy people got the chance to enjoy a wide variety of material goods. In this regard, the narration demonstrates the obedience of people’s desires and tastes to the prevailing trends of that era. For example, Mathilde, a beautiful young woman, strives to be a part of the aristocrat society and lead a luxurious lifestyle.
The description of outfits, decorations, interior items, and places also points to the late 19th century. This is especially noticeable when the heroine gets to the ball. She overshadows everyone present and fully enjoys the surrounding attention. Maupassant portrays the environment where ordinary people live. They mostly face continuous need, back-breaking work, and other public problems. These social features were also very prevalent in that period.
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