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“The Necklace”. By Guy de Maupassant. Setting:. Time: late 1800’s; 10 years Place: Paris, France P.D.: Poverty of their home vs. grandeur of her dreams. The Party. Plot:. Madame Loisel is unhappy about her station in life
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“The Necklace” By Guy de Maupassant
Setting: • Time: late 1800’s; 10 years • Place: Paris, France • P.D.: • Poverty of their home vs. grandeur of her dreams. • The Party
Plot: • Madame Loisel is unhappy about her station in life • In order to appease her, Monsieur Loisel gets her invited to a party • She is the belle of the ball and enjoys being so • Her sorrows return when she loses the necklace she has borrowed • She and her husband buy a replacement and work 10 years to pay back the debt • Madame Loisel has aged before her time. She encounters Madame Forestier who tells her the necklace she borrowed was a fake.
Characterization: • Mathilde Loisel • Attractive, no chance at reaching a high social status • Anguished for the good life • Longed for jewels, beautiful clothes; felt sorrow, regret and despair over what she didn’t have • After the necklace is lost, she comes to know the awful life of the poverty stricken = lower class • Ages hard in 10 years • Monsieur Loisel • Mathilde’s husband – enjoys life; comfortable with his status • Sacrifices his pleasure for that of his wife’s • Doesn’t enjoy the party as his wife does • Loss of the necklace ages him five years, he says they must replace it • Borrows and comprimises his career working two jobs in a 10 year period • Madame Forestier • Lends necklace to Mathilde • The necklace is lost and replaced • She tells mathilde that the necklace was a fake
Conflict and Resolution: • Man vs. AF • The Loisels vs. Fate • Mathilde never becomes high class but it subjected to poverty to pay a debt. Monsieur Loisel tries to make his wife happy, but finds himself paying an unnecessary debt due to the choices he makes
Theme: • Always tell the truth • Appreciate all you have • “How strange and fickle life is. How little it takes to break you!” • Things are not always what they seem
Literary Elements & Techniques • Point of View – 3rd person omnicient • Irony • The borrowed necklace is fake • The invitation makes Mdm. Loisel upset • The new dress costs 400 francs and so would M.’s new gun