The Loisels' lives change drastically following the loss of the necklace in Guy de Maupassant's short story. Although Mathilde was never satisified with her husband's job or social status, she found that life only became worse after having to replace the necklace. For ten years, the Loisels suffered the indignity of repaying their debts. The husband worked evenings following his regular job and even worked late at night copying manuscripts. Mathilde spent the time as a common working woman, washing clothes and dishes and bartering for favorable deals in the local markets. She was reduced to wearing worn clothes and her hands became hard; she looked old beyond her years. She no longer felt the urges of social climbing and romantic dreams. When she spots Madame Forestier on the street, she in unsure of whether to approach her, since she still appears young and beautiful.

In the short story "The Necklace" by Guy De Maupassant , the author sets out the way in which there is a total sea-change in the mindset of the young couple who lose the 'diamond' necklace before they can return it. They change both internally and externally. Externally, they are even poorer than they were before as Mme Loisel in particular loses her peace of mind, freedom and beautiful young looks. They didn't know what they had til it was gone (lack of worry over debt, a roof over their heads, food, warmth that Mathilde did not have to persoanlly go out to work for.) Mr Loisel has now to watch his wife demean herself, scrubbing her fair young fingers to the bone in cleaning to pay off the perceived debt. Internally, they have changed their outlook on life - rewards that are temporary and materialistic are not worth having as integrity and lack of debt-slavery are better to have.