preview

The Necklace Short Story

Good Essays

“The necklace” was written in French and published in a French newspaper in 1884. Maupassant wrote the short story about a young married women, who is a fantasist, certain that she should be living a complete different lifestyle. Regardless of the period it was written, portrays Matilde as being a jealous egotist who lives her life through self-delusion and self-pity which are all timeless and universal themes. The presentation of women is very particular, if you weren’t a rich women you wouldn’t be important in society and would often be unnoticed rather like Mathilde’s servant.
Maupassant begins the story ironically describing Matilde “apparently by some error of fate” causing her to believe that she is a victim of God, this gives the …show more content…

Madame Frostier (Mathilde’s friend) allows Mathilde to “choose whatever” she likes of her jewelry. Madame frostier is shown to be kind and generous, contrasting with Mathilde’s personality of selfishness. Mathilde “tried the necklace on in the mirror” because she enjoys looking at herself. This illustrates Mathilde as a narcissist. Dramatic irony is used in the way Madame Forestier offers Mathilde her necklace to enhance her image, later realizing it cost her all her looks and everything she has to replace it. Soon realizing the necklace was a cheap copy so all the money was wasted this symbolizes Mathilde as a person.
Mathilde takes her “treasure with her” listing is used to describe how Mathilde’s dream has finally come true. Maupassant applies repetition of “all” to show the attention is focused on Mathilde. The night approaches an end and imagery is enforced to show that the reality is about to return to Mathilde. “Rich furs” are contrasted with “everyday coats” and “shivering with cold” this highlights the real world as bitter and harsh. As soon as she returns home it is “all over for Mathilde” almost like her life had ended. Once again she stands “in front of the mirror” implying that she can’t help but to admire herself.
There is then a sudden change in mood “I…I...Madame Frostier’s necklace… I haven’t got it!” she loses herself in desperate panic. Despite this she does nothing about

Get Access