“The Necklace” Fact-Idea Chart #2
PROMPT: Irony is the difference between what we expect and what actually happens. The
short story, “The Necklace,” has many examples of irony in it. These examples all deal with
Mathilde and the many problems she has (or thinks she has) in her life. How does the author,
Guy de Maupassant, use irony to show what kind of person Mathilde is?
FACT
“’The Minister of Education and Mme.
Georges Ramponneau beg M. and Mme.
Loisel to do them the honor of attending an
evening reception at the Ministerial
Mansion on Friday, January 18th.’
Instead of being delighted, as her
husband had hoped, she scornfully tossed
the invitation on the table, murmuring,
‘What good is that to me?’ “(210).
“Mme. Forestier, quite ovecome, clasped
her by the hands. ‘Oh my poor Mathilde.
But mine was only paste. Why, at most, it
was worth only five francs!’” (217).
IDEA
In this quote, Mathilde…(explain what is
happening in this quote).
Maupassant uses
(situational/dramatic/verbal) irony by…
(explain the ironic situation) which
demonstrate Mathilde’s… (identify what
character traits are shown by Mathilde in
this situation).
At first, the reader expects Mathilde to
respond to her husband by… (explain how
should she respond).
Instead, Maupassan has Mathilde…
(explain how she responds to her husband).
This situation is similar to…(explain a
similar situtation to Mathilde’s).
In this quote, Mathilde… (explain what is
happening in this quote).
Maupassant establishes
(situational/dramatic/verbal) irony
by…(explain what is ironic) in order to
portray Mathilde’s… (identify what
character traits are shown by Mathilde in
this quote).
Originally, the reader belives that
…(explain the misconception about the
necklace); however, Madame Forestier
explains … (explain the truth behind the
necklace).
This situation is similar to…(explain a
similar situtation to Mathilde’s).