Necklace

Guy De Maupassant’s short story “The Necklace” tells of a woman’s intense desire of becoming associated with the upper class and how it ultimately brings about her downfall into poverty. The protagonist, Mathilde Loisel, shows many characteristics that bring about her downfall. The character elements prove that her selfishness, unwillingness to accept her social role, and excessive pride lead her into a life far from her dreams. The theme of the story is …

…feels that she has to live up to her pride by being the most elegant woman there. Losing the necklace plays a significant role in Mathilde’s pride. She refuses to endure the embarrassment of telling Madam Forrestier about losing the necklace. Instead of swallowing her pride, Mathilde wastes away ten years of her life replacing a fake necklace. Mathilde’s pride plays a crucial role in downfall and realization of her lifestyle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**