The Diamond Necklace

The Diamond Necklace by Guy de Maupassant

Summary:

"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is a story that delves into themes of vanity, pride, and the harsh realities of life. It follows the life of Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful yet discontented woman who feels trapped in her modest existence.

Mathilde Loisel is "pretty and charming" but feels she was born into a family of unfavorable economic status. She marries a lowly clerk in the Ministry of Education, who can provide only a modest but comfortable lifestyle. Mathilde feels the burden of her poverty intensely and spends hours imagining a more extravagant existence. While her husband enjoys the modest supper she prepares, she dreams of elaborate feasts served on fancy china with wealthy friends. She owns no fancy jewels or clothing, which she believes are essential for desirability. She has one wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, but avoids visiting her due to the heartbreak it brings.

One night, her husband brings home an invitation to a formal party hosted by the Ministry of Education, hoping Mathilde will be thrilled. Instead, she becomes angry and cries, saying she has nothing to wear and he should give the invitation to someone else. Her husband, upset by her reaction, asks how much a suitable dress would cost. After some thought, she says 400 francs, and though he hesitates, he agrees to give her the money.

As the party approaches, Mathilde behaves oddly, confessing she lacks jewels. Monsieur Loisel suggests she wear flowers, but she refuses. He urges her to borrow something from Madame Forestier, who agrees to lend her jewels. Mathilde chooses a diamond necklace and is overcome with gratitude. At the party, Mathilde is the most beautiful woman there, basking in attention and self-satisfaction. At 4 a.m., she looks for her husband, who has been dozing, and he wraps her in a shabby wrap and fetches a cab. Ashamed of the wrap, she follows him outside, and they walk before hailing a cab.

When they return home, Mathilde is saddened the night has ended. She discovers her necklace is missing and panics. Monsieur Loisel retraces their steps but returns without the necklace. He tells her to write to Madame Forestier, saying the clasp is broken and being mended. They search for a replacement and find one for 36,000 francs. They scrape together money from various sources, mortgaging their future, and after three days, Monsieur Loisel buys the necklace. Mathilde returns it to Madame Forestier, who, annoyed at the delay, does not open the case.

The Loisels live in crippling poverty, dismissing their servant and moving to a smaller apartment. Monsieur Loisel works three jobs, and Mathilde does heavy housework. This misery lasts ten years, during which Mathilde loses her extraordinary beauty, becoming like other poor women. One Sunday, Mathilde meets Madame Forestier, who does not recognize her. Mathilde explains the saga of losing the necklace, replacing it, and repaying the debt. Madame Forestier, clasping her hands, reveals the original necklace was costume jewelry and not worth anything.

Through a decade of hardship and sacrifice, the story reveals the devastating impact of materialism and the consequences of living beyond one’s means.

I. One line questions- answers:

1. Why was Mathilde unhappy with her life?

Mathilde was dissatisfied with her modest lifestyle and yearned for the luxuries of the wealthy, feeling trapped in a lower social class.

2. Who was Mathilde’s husband and what was his occupation?

Mathilde’s husband was Mr. Loisel, a minor official at the Ministry of Education.

3. Why did Mathilde refuse to visit her friend?

Mathilde felt resentful comparing her friend's luxurious life to her own, causing her to refuse visiting Madame Forestier.

4. How did Mathilde react upon reading the invitation card?

Mathilde reacted resentfully to the invitation, feeling it accentuated her lack of suitable attire and emphasized her dissatisfaction with her life.

5. What were Mr. Loisel's intentions in obtaining the invitation to the special evening?

Mr. Loisel hoped to fulfill his wife's desire for a taste of high society, aiming to temporarily lift her spirits and provide her with a moment of happiness.

6. How did the Loisels find the money to buy the diamond necklace to replace the lost one?

The Loisels procured the money through borrowing from various sources, compromising their financial stability to purchase a replacement necklace and maintain their social standing.

7. How much money did Mathilde ask her husband for, and what was he saving up the money for?

Mathilde requested four hundred francs to buy a new dress, while Mr. Loisel had been saving the same amount for a hunting trip with friends.

8. What did Madame Loisel borrow from Madame Forestier?

Madame Loisel borrowed a diamond necklace from Madame Forestier to wear to the party, enhancing her appearance.

9. Describe the thoughts going through Mathilde’s mind when she was going through her friend’s jewelry box.

Mathilde felt desire and envy as she imagined herself adorned in the exquisite jewels, longing for the luxurious lifestyle they symbolized.

10. What impression did Madame Loisel create at the party?

 Madame Loisel captivated attention with her elegance, charm, and beauty, becoming the center of admiration among the guests.

11. What was the shocking discovery made by Madame Loisel on reaching home after the party?

Madame Loisel realized she had lost the borrowed diamond necklace, plunging her into a state of panic and despair.

12. What did Madame Loisel write to Madame Forestier about the necklace, and why did she do so?

Madame Loisel wrote a letter pretending the necklace was being repaired to buy time and avoid suspicion, hoping to replace it without Madame Forestier discovering the truth.

13. How did the Loisels find the money to buy the diamond necklace to replace the lost one?

The Loisels obtained the money through borrowing and compromising their financial stability, risking their future to repay the debt incurred in purchasing the replacement necklace.

14. Why was Madame Forestier unable to recognize Madame Loisel when they met after ten years, and what was the surprise she had for Madame Loisel?

Madame Forestier couldn't recognize Madame Loisel due to her changed appearance from hardship. The surprise was the revelation that the lost necklace was an imitation worth much less than assumed, highlighting the tragic misunderstanding that had caused the Loisels a decade of suffering.

II. Short Questions and Answers:

1. Why was Mathilde unhappy with her life?

Mathilde was unhappy because she felt trapped in a lower social class than she believed she deserved. She longed for the luxuries and comforts of the wealthy lifestyle but couldn't attain them due to her modest means. Her dissatisfaction stemmed from a deep-seated desire for a life of opulence and admiration, which she felt she was entitled to but could never achieve within her current circumstances.

2. Who was Mathilde’s husband and what was his occupation?

Mathilde’s husband was Mr. Loisel, a minor official at the Ministry of Education. He was a caring and supportive spouse who tried to please his wife despite their financial limitations, showing understanding and patience towards her desires.

3. Why did Mathilde refuse to visit her friend?

Mathilde refused to visit her friend Madame Forestier because she felt miserable and resentful when comparing her friend's luxurious lifestyle to her own humble surroundings. The stark contrast between their lives intensified Mathilde's feelings of inadequacy and discontent, making it painful for her to be around Madame Forestier.

4. How did Mathilde react upon reading the invitation card?

Mathilde reacted resentfully to the invitation card, feeling it highlighted her lack of suitable attire for such an event, exacerbating her feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with her life. She threw the invitation on the table resentfully, expressing her frustration and resentment towards her husband, who had hoped she would be delighted by the opportunity.

5. What were Mr. Loisel's intentions in obtaining the invitation to the special evening?

Mr. Loisel's intention in obtaining the invitation was to give his wife a chance to experience a taste of the high society life that she yearned for, hoping to make her happy. He saw it as an opportunity to fulfill one of her desires and to temporarily escape their mundane existence.

6. How did the Loisels find the money to buy the diamond necklace to replace the lost one?

The Loisels found the money to buy the diamond necklace by borrowing from various sources, including friends and moneylenders, and by compromising their financial stability through ruinous agreements and usurious deals. They went to great lengths to procure the funds, risking their future well-being to replace the lost necklace and maintain their social standing.

7. How much money did Mathilde ask her husband for, and what was he saving up the money for?

Mathilde asked her husband for four hundred francs to buy a new dress. Mr. Loisel had been saving the same amount of money to buy a gun and treat himself to a hunting trip the following summer in the countryside near Nanterre with a few friends who went lark-shooting there on Sundays.

8. What did Madame Loisel borrow from Madame Forestier?

 Madame Loisel borrowed a diamond necklace from Madame Forestier to wear to the party. She felt she needed jewelry to complement her attire and appear more affluent, which is why she sought to borrow it from her friend.

9. Describe the thoughts going through Mathilde’s mind when she was going through her friend’s jewellery box.

When going through her friend's jewelry box, Mathilde's thoughts were filled with desire and longing as she imagined herself adorned in the beautiful jewels. She was captivated by the exquisite pieces and felt a sense of envy and yearning for the luxurious lifestyle symbolized by the jewelry.

10. Wat impression did Madame Loisel create at the party?

At the party, Madame Loisel created an unforgettable impression, captivating everyone with her beauty, elegance, and charm. She was the center of attention, more beautiful and graceful than any other woman present, which fulfilled her deepest desires. Men admired her and vied for her attention, seeking introductions and dances, while women envied her poise and attire. The minister himself noticed her, which significantly boosted her confidence and sense of triumph. Her appearance and demeanor made her the star of the evening, allowing her to bask in the admiration and respect she had always craved. For that one night, she experienced the luxurious life she had always dreamed of, feeling joyous and triumphant. This moment of glory, however, was fleeting and came at a great cost, leading to the eventual downfall and suffering of the Loisels.

11. What was the shocking discovery made by Madame Loisel on reaching home after the party?

The shocking discovery made by Madame Loisel upon reaching home after the party was that she had lost the borrowed diamond necklace. This realization plunged her into a state of panic and despair, as the necklace was worth a fortune and she didn't know how to explain its disappearance to Madame Forestier.

12. What did Madame Loisel write to Madame Forestier about the necklace, and why did she do so?

Madame Loisel wrote to Madame Forestier, pretending that she had broken the clasp of the necklace and was getting it repaired. She did so to buy time and avoid immediate suspicion, hoping that she could somehow replace the necklace without Madame Forestier discovering the truth.

13. How did the Loisels find the money to buy the diamond necklace to replace the lost one?

The Loisels obtained the money to replace the lost necklace through a combination of desperate measures and financial sacrifices. Mr. Loisel used the eighteen thousand francs inherited from his father as a starting point. They then borrowed the remaining amount from various sources, including friends, money-lenders, and usurers, accumulating a total of thirty-six thousand francs needed to purchase the replacement necklace. This process involved taking on significant debt, signing promissory notes, and making agreements with high interest rates. The financial strain forced them into a decade of severe poverty and hard labor. They dismissed their maid, moved to a cheaper apartment, and took on extra work to repay the debt. Both Mr. and Mrs. Loisel endured years of hardship and deprivation, fundamentally changing their lives and appearance.

14. Why was Madame Forestier unable to recognize Madame Loisel when they met after ten years, and what was the surprise she had for Madame Loisel?

Madame Forestier couldn't recognize Madame Loisel due to her dramatically altered appearance resulting from years of hardship. Madame Loisel had become hardened and weathered, a stark contrast to her former self. The surprise Madame Forestier had for Madame Loisel was the revelation that the lost necklace was, in fact, an imitation worth significantly less than assumed. Madame Loisel had endured a decade of toil and sacrifice to repay debts incurred from purchasing a replacement, believing the necklace to be genuine. The realization shattered Madame Loisel's perception of her past suffering, highlighting the irony of their misfortune. It also underscored the theme of appearances versus reality, as Madame Loisel's assumption about the necklace's value had fueled their decade-long struggle. This revelation brought closure to the story, illuminating the true cost of vanity and the transient nature of material desires.

III. Short Notes:

The Character of Mathilde

Mathilde Loisel is the central character in Guy de Maupassant's "The Diamond Necklace." She is depicted as a beautiful and charming woman who feels she was born into the wrong social class. Mathilde's dissatisfaction with her modest life as the wife of a minor clerk is a driving force in the story. She constantly dreams of wealth, luxury, and social status, feeling entitled to a lifestyle far beyond her means. Mathilde's vanity and desire for material possessions lead her to borrow a diamond necklace from her friend Madame Forestier for a prestigious party. At the party, she revels in the admiration and attention she receives, feeling fulfilled and happy for a brief moment. However, this happiness is short-lived when she loses the necklace, setting off a chain of events that drastically alter her life. Mathilde's character is marked by her inability to appreciate what she has and her obsession with appearances. Her shallow values ultimately lead to her downfall, as she and her husband endure years of poverty to replace the lost necklace. Over time, Mathilde transforms from a delicate and vain woman into a hardened, worn-out individual, highlighting the heavy toll of her misplaced priorities.

The Character of Mr. Loisel

Mr. Loisel is a dedicated and supportive husband to Mathilde in "The Diamond Necklace." He works as a minor official at the Ministry of Education and is content with his modest lifestyle. Unlike Mathilde, he does not aspire to wealth or high social status and is more focused on practical concerns. Mr. Loisel's character is defined by his selflessness and willingness to sacrifice his own desires to make his wife happy. For instance, he gives Mathilde the money he had saved for a hunting trip so she can buy a dress for the party. When Mathilde loses the borrowed necklace, Mr. Loisel goes to great lengths to find it, and when that fails, he helps her replace it by borrowing large sums of money. This decision plunges them into a decade of severe poverty, but he remains supportive and hardworking throughout. Mr. Loisel takes on extra work and endures the same hardships as Mathilde, highlighting his dedication and resilience. His character contrasts sharply with Mathilde's, showing a man who finds satisfaction in simple pleasures and responsibilities, and who endures adversity with quiet strength. Mr. Loisel's enduring love and support for his wife underscore his fundamentally good and noble nature.

The Loss and Replacement of the Necklace

The loss and replacement of the necklace is a pivotal event in "The Diamond Necklace" that significantly impacts the lives of Mathilde and Mr. Loisel. After borrowing a diamond necklace from her friend Madame Forestier for a prestigious party, Mathilde enjoys a night of admiration and joy. However, upon returning home, she realizes that the necklace is missing. The Loisels search desperately but cannot find it. To avoid the shame and scandal of admitting the loss, they decide to replace the necklace with an identical one. They find a replica priced at thirty-six thousand francs, far beyond their means. Mr. Loisel uses his inheritance and borrows the rest, plunging them into debt. Over the next ten years, the Loisels endure extreme poverty and hard labor to repay the debt. They move to a cheaper apartment, dismiss their maid, and take on extra work. This period of intense struggle and deprivation transforms Mathilde from a beautiful, delicate woman into a hardened, aged individual. The story's twist reveals that the original necklace was an imitation worth only five hundred francs, rendering their sacrifice tragically unnecessary. This revelation underscores the themes of vanity, pride, and the deceptiveness of appearances, illustrating how a single misunderstanding can dramatically alter the course of a life.