The Necklace - Week 2

The Necklace

By: Guy de Maupassant

        This short story is about a lady named Madame Mathilde Loisel. She was married to a clerk named Monsieur Loisel. Her husband is always willing to give everything to make his wife happy. Mathilde always get insecure on others. She always wanted to live beyond their means.

       One evening, Mathilde’s husband surprised her with a letter inviting them to attend to a social affair at the Ministry of Education. At first, Mathilde didn’t want to go because she has nothing to wear for the party. Her husband, willing to do anything just to make her happy, sacrificed his savings just to buy a gown for her wife.

        Mathilde bought the things that she need using the money from her husband that is supposed to be used in buying a gun. Even though she already had what she needed, Mathilde still complained to her husband. She told her that she lacks jewelries. Monsieur Loisel referred her to his friend Madame Jean Forestier. Madame Forestier lent Mathilde a diamond necklace so that she has something to be worn for the social affair. Mathilde thanked Madame Forestier for her kindness.

        Mathilde went to the party with his husband. She became the center of attraction because of that glimmering necklace. Not until 4am they left the party. Mathilde was shocked to find out that the necklace she borrowed from Madame Jean Forestier got lost. At the end of the story, she and her husband decided to gather all their savings and borrow money from others just to buy a necklace similar to the one that was lost. They were able to replace the necklace but they didn’t tell Madame Forestier that the original necklace was lost.

        It took Mathilde and her husband ten years to pay all their debts. Mathilde, one day, happens to see Madame Forestier. She still looks beautiful unlike Mathilde who now looks very haggard. Mathilde had the courage to reveal everything that happened. But in the end, it turned out that the necklace they lost was just an imitation which she bought at a low price.

           After this story, I had so many realizations about life. Being contented and honest in life makes life much easier to handle. Pride is also something that was emphasized in the story. If Mathilde just lowered her pride and told Madame Forestier everything that happened, she will not spend 10 years of hard work just to pay debts. Mathilde’s story is very miserable. It will serve as a lesson to the people who are like her.

       

Link: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Neck.shtml