The Necklace Characters
The main characters in "The Necklace" are Mathilde Loisel, Monsieur Loisel, and Madame Forestier.
- Mathilde Loisel dreams of being rich and is self-conscious about her middle-class status. She borrows Madame Forestier's necklace to wear to a ball but loses it, then spends the next decade working to pay off the replacement, sacrificing her beauty and youth.
- Monsieur Loisel is Mathilde's husband and a government clerk. He procures the invitation to the ball for Mathilde and helps to work off the debt for the necklace.
- Madame Forestier is Mathilde's wealthy friend. She lends Mathilde the necklace and later pityingly reveals that it was a fake.
Characters
Mathilde Loisel
Mathilde Loisel is a dissatisfied woman, and this drives her conflict with herself and with others. She imagines living a more fantastical life than the one she was born into. She feels that there is a great discrepancy between the life she should be living based on her charm and beauty (which, based on textual evidence, is not imagined) and the life she must daily endure. Her home is so ordinary that it pains her. She dreams of a more magical life, one filled with men who adore her and conversations of “whispered gallantries which you listen to with a sphinx-like smile.” She longs for extravagance because extravagance is exciting and would be an escape from her mundane life.
It is important to consider Mathilde’s historical context. As a woman living in the nineteenth century, her options are limited. As she wasn’t born into wealth and didn’t marry into it either, there aren’t many options for improving her social standing. She doesn’t have children to occupy her time and isn’t even required to complete her own housework, thanks to the household servant. Mathilde doesn’t seem to have many friends, and it isn’t noted that she spends time entertaining in her home. Thus, she has a great deal of time on her hands and little to do to make constructive use of it. Considering her context, Mathilde’s frustrations are somewhat understandable.
Mathilde’s frustrations could be somewhat pardoned if not for her vanity. This sense of self-importance affects everyone around her. Surely the home she shares with her husband is a tense one because she “suffer[s] ceaselessly” in it. Surely the fact that she desires to be envied is woven into their conversations and decisions. Surely her friend Madame Forestier is frustrated when none of the jewelry she offers to Mathilde passes her inspection for elegance. None of this matters to Mathilde, who is singularly focused on being recognized for the charming and beautiful woman she is.
Mathilde undoubtedly recognizes the ball as the dream she’s always longed for. This is her moment to finally be recognized in the society she holds in such high regard. And Mathilde likely believes that if she can be successful, she will be welcomed into a world full of the “delicacies and all the luxuries” that will finally fulfill her.
Ultimately, it seems that Mathilde finds her sense of purpose in the hard work of paying back the debt she’s incurred. Mathilde surprisingly rises to the occasion of repayment “with heroism,” throwing herself into the “heavy housework” she has spent a lifetime avoiding. She scrubs, washes, and carries slop until the beauty she so treasured is a distant memory. While Mathilde would have never willingly traded her beauty for such lessons, she has grown in strength and resiliency as she has become a woman who no longer spends her life in angry inner turmoil. Indeed, she encounters Madame Forestier at the end of the story because she has taken a walk in the Champs Elysees to “refresh herself,” the tone connoting a rather peaceful acceptance of her station in life. Perhaps Mathilde’s hardships have brought character growth that would never have transpired otherwise.
Monsieur Loisel
From every indication, Monsieur Loisel is a dedicated husband. Although he is referred to in the diminutive as a “little clerk,” and despite the fact that his wife is never seen engaging with him warmly, Monsieur Loisel makes ongoing efforts to please Mathilde and attempts to give her the life he knows she desires.
It is difficult for him to obtain the invitation to the ball, and Monsieur Loisel has great hopes that his wife will be “delighted” with his efforts. When she isn’t, he seeks to understand why. Upon realizing that his wife longs for a new dress for this event, Monsieur Loisel gives her the entire amount he has saved for a new gun and a hunting trip with his friends, never saying a word about his own loss in this donation. When his wife tells him that she needs fancy jewelry to accessorize the dress, he is the one who comes up with a solution. And when his wife loses what he believes is an expensive necklace, it is Monsieur Loisel who returns into the cold night to search for it and then assumes this debt as his own.
Monsieur Loisel is a man willing to make deep sacrifices for the woman he loves, even when there is no indication that she reciprocates feelings of affection toward him. He is a man who is willing to protect his wife and who tries to provide a little of the luxury that he knows she longs for.
Madame Forestier
Madame Forestier represents all Mathilde longs for. She is wealthy, and Mathilde pulls away from their friendship because spending time with Madame Forestier makes Mathilde “suffer” upon returning to her own home, which isn’t nearly as elegant. It is Madame Forestier who offers Mathilde her jewelry to wear and who endures her friend’s highly selective process of determining which piece would most flatter her. Madame Forestier, though she is wealthy, doesn’t seem to mind possessing some pieces of “costume jewelry,” which are replicas of much more expensive gems. Interestingly, Mathilde could have saved herself much pain if she had possessed this same attitude, particularly since she is unable to distinguish between genuine gems and fakes. Madame Forestier seems to genuinely care about Mathilde’s change of circumstances. It is noted that she “took her two hands,” apparently in a moment of affectionate support, before telling Mathilde that the gems were “paste.” Perhaps, however, the fact that the necklace was a fake could have remained unsaid after all her friend had endured to replace it. The friendship is a strained one at best, supported by the fact that the women have never run into each other in the ten years Mathilde has been working to repay the debt. It seems the society Mathilde longed for, represented by Madame Forestier, is fated to remain forever beyond her reach.
Expert Q&A
How does the setting in "The Necklace" influence the story and characters?
The setting in "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant influences the story, characters, and events because the action takes place in the specific locale of Paris near the turn of the nineteenth century within a specific set of social circumstances. Mathilde covets the lifestyle of the wealthy class and deludes herself into believing she is entitled to their luxuries. Her dissatisfaction and ungratefulness cause her to lose the lifestyle she had but did not appreciate.
Analyze the characters of Mathilde Loisel and Madame Forestier from "The Necklace."
Mathilde Loisel is a round and dynamic character, initially portrayed as a beautiful but dissatisfied woman who believes she deserves a more luxurious life. Her character undergoes significant change, becoming hardened and aged after years of poverty due to her own vanity. In contrast, Madame Forestier is a flat and static character, depicted only as wealthy and unchanged throughout the story. Mathilde's journey highlights her transformation and the consequences of her desires.
Is Madame Loisel a flat or round character?
Madame Loisel is a round character in Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace." Initially dissatisfied with her life and marriage, she undergoes significant change after losing a borrowed necklace. Her experiences of hardship and toil transform her into a strong, hardened woman who values personal integrity. The story contrasts her youthful illusions with her mature resilience, highlighting her development from a superficial, discontented housewife to a proud, capable individual.
What forms of characterization are used in "The Necklace"?
"The Necklace" employs direct characterization to depict Madame Loisel as "pretty and charming" yet "unhappy" due to her desire for wealth. She is a dynamic character, undergoing significant change after losing the necklace, transforming from a daydreaming woman to one who accepts her responsibilities with determination. Her husband and Madame Forestier are flat, static characters with little personality development. Madame Loisel's transformation highlights the story's themes of vanity and materialism.
Who is the antagonist in "The Necklace"?
The antagonists in "The Necklace" are Madame Loisel's character flaws, which include pride, dissatisfaction, shallowness, and the belief she deserves a fantasy life of wealth and luxury.
Describe the strengths, weaknesses, outlook, and psychological traits of the husband in "The Necklace".
Monsieur Loisel is portrayed as a content and patient man, contrasting with his wife's constant dissatisfaction. He is loyal and supportive, willing to go into debt to make his wife happy, demonstrating his caring nature. However, his weaknesses include a lack of assertiveness and being overshadowed by his wife's desires. His outlook is generally positive and accepting of his circumstances, but his psychological traits reveal a passive acceptance of his wife's discontent.
What kind of family does Mathilde come from in The Necklace?
Mathilde comes from a bourgeois, middle-class family, typical of the French civil service, lacking wealth or social connections. Despite her comfortable lifestyle, she is dissatisfied, believing her beauty entitles her to a more luxurious life like the upper classes. Her frustration leads her to borrow a necklace, resulting in financial ruin and a fall from her social class. Her inability to appreciate her life or discern reality from illusion underscores her tragic fate.
What is Madame Loisel's husband's name in "The Necklace"?
In "The Necklace," Madame Loisel's husband is not given a name. This omission may highlight Madame Loisel's disappointment in him and their differing values, as she dreams of a more lavish lifestyle. The lack of a name could also reflect his secondary role in the story and emphasize Madame Loisel's self-centered nature. He remains unnamed to signify the distance in their relationship and to keep the focus on Mathilde, the central character.
In "The Necklace," is Mr. Loisel a static or dynamic, round or flat character?
Mr. Loisel is a static and flat character in "The Necklace." He does not undergo any significant change throughout the story, despite enduring ten years of hardship due to his wife's actions. His role primarily supports Mathilde's narrative, as he remains stable and consistent, highlighting her transformation from vanity to strength and wisdom. Mr. Loisel's character serves to emphasize the sacrifices made to repay the debt incurred by the lost necklace.
In "The Necklace" by Maupassant, is Mathilde a sympathetic character? Do you care about her?
Mathilde in "The Necklace" evokes mixed feelings about sympathy. Some readers may feel sorry for her early on, seeing her as a victim of circumstances, especially after losing the necklace and enduring hardship. Others find her unsympathetic due to her materialistic desires and inability to appreciate her life. Her imprudent actions lead to her downfall, which some view as deserved, yet she gains humility and learns to value what she once took for granted.
What type of person is Matilda Loisel in "The Necklace" before losing the necklace?
Before losing the necklace, Matilda Loisel is portrayed as unhappy and dissatisfied with her life, feeling as though she deserves more due to her natural elegance and charm. She is not a rounded character, and her dissatisfaction stems from feeling misplaced in her social rank. Her character changes superficially, as her happiness is tied to temporary beauty and success, but internally, she remains unfulfilled, always yearning for a better life.
Who is a foil for the main character in "The Necklace"?
Madame Forestier serves as a foil to Madame Loisel, highlighting the latter's desires and insecurities. As a wealthy friend from school, Madame Forestier embodies the social status and lifestyle that Madame Loisel covets. This contrast is crucial as it underscores Madame Loisel's dissatisfaction with her own life and her yearning for more. The story reveals the irony of Madame Loisel's envy when she loses a borrowed necklace, only to discover later it was fake.
Madame Loisel's Transformation in "The Necklace"
In Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace," Madame Loisel undergoes a significant transformation due to her experiences. Initially, she is depicted as vain, materialistic, and dissatisfied with her middle-class life, longing for wealth and luxury. After losing a borrowed necklace, she and her husband face ten years of poverty to repay the debt for a replacement. This hardship humbles her, teaching her the value of hard work and altering her once superficial outlook on life. Ironically, she learns the necklace was fake, underscoring the theme of appearances versus reality.
Why is Mathilde from "The Necklace" a failure as a person, wife, and friend?
Mathilde Loisel is considered a failure as a person, wife, and friend due to her ungrateful and materialistic nature. She is discontent with her life, despite having comforts like a maid, and does not appreciate her husband's sacrifices. She prioritizes appearances over relationships, lying to her friend Mme. Forestier about losing the borrowed necklace. Her pride prevents her from learning the necklace's true value, leading to unnecessary hardship.
Mathilde Loisel's Materialism and Selfishness in "The Necklace"
In Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace," Mathilde Loisel's materialism and selfishness are central to her character. She is portrayed as deeply dissatisfied with her middle-class life, believing she deserves luxury and wealth. Her selfishness is evident when she manipulates her husband into buying her a dress and borrowing a necklace, leading to their financial ruin. Mathilde's ungratefulness is highlighted by her constant lament over her perceived lack of wealth, despite having a comfortable life, demonstrating her obsession with appearances and status.
How are the protagonists characterized in "The Necklace"?
From beginning to end in Guy de Maupassant’s short story “The Necklace,” the protagonist Mathilde is characterized by and developed through direct and indirect characterization. The protagonist Loisel is described through indirect characterization. The author presents physical and non-physical details to illustrate Mathilde’s personality. The author reveals much about both Mathilde and Loisel through their actions and speech.
Evidences of Mathilde's immaturity at the end of "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant
At the end of "The Necklace," Mathilde's immaturity is evident in her failure to recognize the value of honesty and her continued fixation on material wealth. Despite her hardships, she remains obsessed with appearances and status, showing little personal growth or understanding of her true worth beyond superficial desires.
Mathilde in "The Necklace": Static or Dynamic Character Analysis
Mathilde in "The Necklace" is a dynamic character. She undergoes significant changes throughout the story, transforming from a vain and materialistic woman to one who experiences hardship and learns the value of honesty and hard work.
The impact of hard work on Mathilde's character and attitude in "The Necklace."
Hard work profoundly changes Mathilde's character and attitude in "The Necklace." Initially vain and materialistic, Mathilde becomes humble and resilient after years of labor to repay the debt for the lost necklace. Her experiences teach her the value of hard work and alter her perspective on life and social status.
How does Guy DeMaupassant present characters in "The Necklace"?
Guy DeMaupassant presents characters in "The Necklace" through a third-person omniscient narrator, allowing readers to judge them from a distance. Mathilde is introduced as a pretty, charming woman dissatisfied with her modest life, suggesting her sense of entitlement and foreshadowing her greed-driven actions. Her husband, Monsieur Loisel, is portrayed through her perspective as a passive character who sacrifices his own desires to please her, highlighting the story's focus on Mathilde's impact on their lives.
The success and outcome of Mathilde Loisel in "The Necklace."
In "The Necklace," Mathilde Loisel's outcome is marked by hardship and regret. After losing a borrowed necklace, she and her husband endure a decade of poverty to repay the debt, only to discover that the necklace was a cheap imitation. This revelation highlights the futility of her materialistic desires and the heavy price of vanity.
Who is the minor character in "The Necklace"?
In "The Necklace," the minor characters are Monsieur Loisel and Madame Forestier. Monsieur Loisel is Mathilde's supportive husband, while Madame Forestier is Mathilde's childhood friend who lends her the necklace. Madame Forestier plays a crucial role by revealing at the end that the necklace, which caused Mathilde so much hardship, was actually a fake, adding to the story's irony and humor.
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