The Necklace
By Guy de Maupassant
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born into the French nobility in 1850,
Guy de Maupassant grew up to be a
brilliant novelist and short story writer.
With his quick character sketches,
dramatic plots, and surprise endings, he is regarded as one
of the most skillful short story writers of all time. He died in
a private insane asylum in Paris at age forty-three
“The Necklace” Overview:
Madame Loisel and her husband are not financially well off.
She has always dreamed of being rich.
When the couple is invited to a ball, Madame Loisel must find jewelry and fine
clothing so she can attend the event.
The trouble begins when the jewelry she borrows is lost.
Do now
Does money and material possessions
automatically lead to happiness? What makes a
person content? Explain your responses.
¿El dinero y las posesiones materiales conducen automáticamente a la felicidad?
Lo que hace que un contenido persona? Explicar sus respuestas
Questions
1.
Identify irony in “The Necklace”. Use textual evidence to support your
response.
2.
In your opinion, what is the theme of “The Necklace”? Explain.
1.
What P.O.V. is the story “The Necklace” told in?
2.
What is the tone of “The Necklace”?
3.
What is the mood of “The Necklace”
Exposition
Characters: Mathilde Loisel, her husband Monsieur Loisel,
and her wealthy friend Madame Forestier.
Setting: Paris, France (1880)
The Loisel’s apartment
Party at the Ministry of Education’s mansion
Begins in January and lasts 10 years
Conflict
Madame Loisel is not wealthy, yet she dreams to be. Her
husband gives her money to buy a dress, but she is not
satisfied until her wealthy friend lets her borrow a necklace.
Madame Loisel loses the expensive necklace at the ball.
Man vs. self- Madame Loisel’s unhappiness with her lifestyle
Rising Action
At the ball, Madame Loisel is a hit, but the necklace goes
missing. After days of searching, she and her husband decide
to replace it with one that looks identical. The replacement
costs more money than they make and they are now in debt.
Will Madame and Monsieur Loisel be able to pay off their
debt?
Climax
After ten years of hard work and struggles, the couple pays
off their debt.
Falling Action
One day Madame Loisel is walking to the market and sees
the friend that she borrowed the necklace from. She decides
to tell her what happened.
Resolution
The friend Madame Forestier tells Madame Loisel that the
necklace was fake costume jewelry and worth nothing.
They paid off their debt, only to find out they should have
just been honest with Madame Forestier about losing the
necklace to begin with.