Author Guy de Maupassant uses the necklace to illustrate
the primary themes of his classic short
story.
- GREED VS.
GENEROSITY. Mathilde shows a greedy streak through the
first part of the story (until she loses the necklace). She badgers her husband into
using his savings to buy her an expensive dress, but she still isn't happy until she
visits her old friend, Madame Forestier, and borrows the necklace. Monsieur Loisel's and
Madame Forestier's generosity is a stark contrast to Mathilde's greed for the
spotlight. - CLASS CONFLICT.
The necklace, Mathilde believes, is necessary for her to convince everyone at the ball
that she and her husband--mere lower class bourgeoisie--deserve to
attend such a high brow event. The dress alone was not enough; it was the necklace that
completed Mathilde's
transformation. - APPEARANCE
VS. REALITY. Little is what it seems to be
in "The Necklace"--especially the necklace. Mathilde believes the necklace will fool
everyone into believing she is the belle of the ball, and her wish is fulfilled.
However, the necklace is nothing but paste, a fact that neither she nor anyone else in
attendance realizes. The loss of the necklace and the resulting expense of purchasing a
replacement reduces what seemed to be a drab life into one of utter hardship for
Mathilede and her husband. The fact that the genuine diamond necklace that was
returned was not even recognized as authentic by Madame Forestier (and why such a
wealthy woman would own such a cheap knockoff) is even more
ironic.
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