Guy de Maupassant’s The Necklace is a fantastic short tale on dissatisfaction. The plot revolves around a lady called Mathilde who desired items she could not have due to a lack of funds. She had been asked to a ball and needed to purchase a lovely gown. She also mentioned that she wanted a piece of jewelry, so she came to an acquaintance to borrow it. She wore an exquisite piece of jewelry to the event, but she misplaced it. She was then forced to purchase a new similar one, leaving them in poverty and impoverished. Later after, she discovers that the jewelry she took was a forgery and that they purchased a genuine one. She would not have taken and misplaced the jewelry if she had not been dissatisfied with what she had. This work was written with the aim of analyzing the work of Guy de Maupassant’s The Necklace.
The most important topic covered by the author in this work is the deceptiveness of appearances. Matilda’s fortune lies in the fact that she is neither rich nor has a high social status, which, in her opinion, makes one a worthy participant. However, Matilda dreams of her life looking different from what it really is. She lives in an imaginary world where her daily life does not match her dreams. She feels that her attractiveness and elegance make her worthy of more beautiful things. The evening is a success since Mathilde’s look corresponds to her life’s realities. She is more attractive than other females, and men seek her out; she idolizes and pleases everybody. Her life takes the route she expects after only a few hours of partying. Unfortunately, behind this accuracy and the apparent connection of appearance and actuality, there lies the fact that its appearance was the result of countless machinations and labor. Her evening’s happiness was not without dread, and the actuality of her look is considerably different from what it appears to be. Her money and social standing are only fantasies, and others are easily duped.
Madame Forestier’s jewelry emphasizes the deceitfulness of her appearance, which looks like it was made of a diamond but is fake jewelry. The notion that it is from Madame Forestier’s jewelry box gives the impression of riches and worth; if Monsieur Loiselle had urged Matilda to wear imitation diamonds, she would have scoffed at the suggestion, just as she would have smiled at his recommendation to wear blossoms. Moreover, fake jewelry implies that even the wealthiest people in the community pretend to defraud society with cheap diamonds to prove their status. Both ladies are duped by the presence: Madame Forestier does not inform Matilda that the jewels are false, and Matilda does not inform Madame Forestier that she changed the jewelry. The fact that jewelry gradually transforms from useless to priceless shows that perception ultimately determines actual worth and that appearance may be easily deceived.
Maupassant uses several main characters to develop concepts and add to the narrative’s purposeful flow. The author uses the biography of the protagonist in the narrative, Mathilde, to add considerably to the analysis and interpretation of the novel. Her personality, personal objectives, and overall point of view on numerous topics in life are utilized to bring out different settings and assist the plot (Maupassant, 1969). Mathilde is sometimes utilized to add tension to the plot. She is so preoccupied with the idea of a richer and much more luxurious living that she spends a lot of time and resources on it. She imagines her property with nice furnishings and herself with a lot of clothing and jewels. The irony is used in the initial characterization of Mme. Loisel was born “as though by a mistake of fate” (Maupassant, 1969). She is metaphorically “drunk on joy” (Maupassant, 1969). Mme. Loisel recalls “that evening at the ball so long ago,” and the ending is a narrative surprise (Maupassant, 1969). There are many more examples of literary techniques, which indicates the richness of the work with them.
To summarize, the narrative centers around Mathilde, a lady who coveted stuff she could not have owing to a lack of cash. The author’s most important idea in this essay is the deception of appearances. Matilda’s condition is due to the fact that she is not rich and belongs to the social position in which she considers herself a worthy participant. Madame Forestier’s jewelry emphasizes the deceitfulness of its appearance, which looks like a diamond but is a hereditary adornment. The fact that it is from a familiar Matilda’s jewelry box gives it richness and value; if Monsieur Loiselle had suggested that Matilda dresses in counterfeit jewels, she would have sneered, just as she would have chuckled at his proposal that she wears flowers. The author utilizes the life of the novel’s heroine, Mathilde, to contribute significantly to the novel’s interpretation and analysis. Her character, individual ambitions, and general viewpoint on many life themes bring out distinct locales and aid the storyline.
Reference
Maupassant, Guy de. (1969). The Necklace. Washington: Dramatic Publishing.