(Student’s Full Name)
What does the necklace in Guy de Maupassant’s story “The Necklace” symbolize?
The necklace symbolizes the superficiality of wealth and class. The necklace that Mathilde borrowed from Madame Forestier represented a life of wealth and social recognition that she desired for most of her life. However, when it was discovered that the necklace was made from paste was not worth more than “five hundred francs” (de Maupassant 6). This suggests that the life of wealth and status is empty, superficial, and meaningless.
What is one of the major themes of the Guy de Maupassant’s story “The Necklace”? Discuss each of these.
One of the major themes of the story is pride and the effects of it. The protagonist, Mathilde Loisel, is a woman that can be considered to be proud. This is because she is discontented with her life, which appears to be humble and ordinary. She was dissatisfied with the fact that she was “born in a family of clerks” (de Maupassant 1). Mathilde was also disheartened by the fact that she “suffered from the poverty of her dwelling” (de Maupassant 1). When she lost the necklace, which she thought was expensive, and both her and her husband had to replace it, she had to live a life of poverty for “ten years” to pay off the money they owed to buy the diamond necklace (de Maupassant 5). This is important to note because when she had to pay off the money she owed to replace the necklace, she had to be faced with the fact that her humble life as a clerk was not glamorous, but her situation could have also been worse.
What narrative point of view did Maupassant write in and how does it help to develop the theme of the desire to be wealthy and gain social recognition?
De Maupassant wrote the story from the narrative point of view of the omniscient third person. This is helpful in developing the plot because it helps the reader to understand the thinking of the protagonist, and show why she is obsessed with wealth and social recognition. In addition, the narrative point of view not only exposes the thinking of the protagonist, but of others. For instance, the narrator states the following: “She’s one of those pretty and charming girls” (de Maupassant 1). The narrator appears to be suggesting that there are more women who are like Mathilde, and who thinks in the same manner.
What does the twisted ending of the story say about Madame Forestier as a person?
The twisted ending of the story suggests that Madame Forestier is superficial. She only pretends to be very wealthy but she lacks authenticity and sincerity as symbolized by the necklace of paste that she owns.
Should Madame Forestier sell the diamond necklace and return the money to Mathilde and her husband? Defend your stance based on the theme of the story.
In order for the story to be in proper alignment with the theme, it would be best if Madame Forestier refused to sell the diamond necklace and return the money to Mathilde and her husband. This is because it would be more credible if Madame Forestier refused to give the money back to Mathilde and her husband because Madame Forestier would be happy to have a real diamond necklace to replace her necklace that was made out of paste, so she can show it off on social events. This necklace will symbolize wealth and cause her to gain the social recognition that she wants to keep.
Work Cited
De Maupassant, Guy. “The Necklace.” The Necklace. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2016.
