The Necklace Group

Question:

gyft
gyft
Student
College - Freshman

In "The Necklace", what does the necklace symbolize? How does it reveal the theme of this story?

What are the techniques and devices that Maupassant used?

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Posted by gyft on Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 6:01 PM and tagged with devices, symbols, techniques, the necklace, theme.

Answers:


  1. mrs-campbell Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    The necklace symbolizes Mathilde's pride and materialistic attitude.  Since the necklace was the reason behind her eventual poverty and downfall, the connection that "pride goes before the fall" can be linked to the necklace, since she wore it and had to give up everything for it.  It also symbolizes how materialism is a vain and fruitless obsession, that does not yield happiness.

    Some techniques and devices Maupassant uses are a third-person narrator that is rather limited, just describing the events itself.  This increases the tension and aids in the surprise ending.  He also uses symbolism (the necklace), irony (her beauty not leading to happiness in a society that values beauty), and a fable-esque tale that teaches a lesson.  The links below will lead you to even more techniques.  I hope this helps!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/necklace/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/necklace/style

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    Posted by mrs-campbell on Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 6:51 PM