Osborne 9H
Name: ______________________________________
Date/Blk: ____________________________
“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
Comprehension and Analysis Questions
Directions: After reading the following definitions, answer the questions in complete sentences.
Static Character: A literary or dramatic character who undergoes little or no inner change; a character who does
not grow or develop.
Dynamic Character: a literary or dramatic character who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in
personality or attitude.
Round Character: a character in fiction whose personality,background, motives, and other features are fully
delineated by the author.
Flat Character: an easily recognized character type in fiction who may not be fully delineated but is useful in
carrying out some narrative purpose of the author.
1. Using the definitions above (you may use more than one), what type of character is Madame Loisel?
Explain.
2. Using the definitions above (you may use more than one), what type of character is M. Loisel? Explain.
3. Using the definitions above (you may use more than one), what type of character is Madame Forestier?
Explain.
4. What was the author’s purpose in creating this story? What was he trying to show the reader (theme)?
How did you reach this conclusion?
5. Think about the fairy tale of Cinderella. How do they compare to each other? How do the characters
compare? Outcomes? Motives?
Osborne 9H
6. What does the necklace represent (symbolize) in the story? Explain.
7. Which character do you feel most embodies generosity in the story? Use textual evidence (quotes) to
support your answer.
8. Which character do you feel most embodies greed in the story? Use textual evidence to support your
answer.
9. How do the necklace and Madame Loisel embody the conflict between appearance and reality?
10. Describe and label the irony found in the story (i.e. situational, dramatic or verbal):
11. Theme Question: What is a theme (message) of this story? Ask yourself: What do readers learn from
Madame Loisel’s experience?
12. Analysis Question: How does the characterization of Mme. Loisel work to develop this theme?
Osborne 9H
Provide a quote from the story that illustrates a
characteristic and page number.
Explain what this quote reveals about the character
and how.
Method 1: Physical description
Method 2: Words or action
Method 3: Thoughts
Method 4: Words/actions/feelings of other
characters or narrator toward character
Method 5: Direct Characterization; Narrator’s direct
comments
APE Prompt:
Analyze the character of Mme. Loisel and explain what the development of her character shows readers about a
theme (life lesson) found in the story. Begin with an insightful assertion that characterizes Mme. Loisel and
addresses one of the story’s themes. To figure out theme, ask yourself “What do readers learn from Mme. Loisel’s
experience?”