Themes: Deceptive Appearances

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Mathilde spends her years of beauty longing for a lifestyle of extravagance. When she is presented with true gems at Madame Forestier’s, including a pearl necklace and “precious stones of admirable workmanship,” Mathilde dismisses them because she believes they are unable to fully represent her sense of self-worth. Ironically, she chooses a “superb necklace of diamonds” which fulfills her definition of exquisite beauty because she believes it to be the most expensive and elegant choice. She is so thrilled with her decision that she is “lost in ecstasy” when she beholds it around her neck. This necklace which fulfills Mathilde’s sense of beauty and lavish projections is, however, a fake. The diamonds aren’t real, yet Mathilde believes that they are. Mathilde has based her entire sense of self-worth on ideals of wealth and status, yet in the decision which completely changes the trajectory of her life, she proves unable to distinguish between true treasures and worthless replicas. Mathilde’s own personality is much the same. On the dance floor, she triumphs, feeling herself fully alive only because she believes the dress and jewelry she wears make her beautiful. Yet it is all a façade. Mathilde is indeed an attractive woman; the opening sentence notes that “she was one of those pretty and charming girls.” She doesn’t need an expensive dress or elegant jewelry to make her beautiful, but she is blind to this truth. Mathilde’s predilection for a flashy and lavish lifestyle ends with her great deception, as she is unable to ultimately gauge the true worth of the very things she admires most.

Expert Q&A

What is the meaning of this quote from "The Necklace"?

She was one of those pretty and charming girls born as if by an accident of fate into a family of clerks. With no dowry, no prospects, no way of any kind of being met, understood, loved and married by a man both prosperous and famous she was finally married to a minor clerk in the Ministry of Education.

The quote from "The Necklace" reflects the protagonist Mathilde Loisel's discontentment with her humble origins and social station which contrast her natural beauty and manners. Despite her qualities, Mathilde's lack of dowry and prospects limit her to marrying within her own class, leading to her dissatisfaction and daydreams of a better life. The quote also highlights Maupassant's ironic commentary on Mathilde's unrealistic desires for a higher social status.

What justifies the title "The Diamond Necklace"?

The title "The Diamond Necklace" is justified as the necklace serves as the antagonist, causing all the conflict for Madame Loisel. Her shallow love of material possessions leads to the loss of the necklace, resulting in ten years of hard labor to repay debts. Ironically, the necklace was fake, and the Loisels replaced it with a real one, highlighting the futility of their sacrifice.

Why is Mme. Forestier's revelation that the necklace was fake ironic?

Mme. Forestier's revelation that the necklace was fake is ironic because Madame Loisel spent ten years in poverty to replace it, only to discover it was worthless. This twist emphasizes the futility of her sacrifices and highlights the disparity between appearances and reality, as she lost her beauty and social standing in the pursuit of replacing something that had no real value.

Analyze this statement in the context of the short story "The Necklace".

The statement in the context of "The Necklace" can be analyzed as a commentary on the protagonist's transformation and the irony of her situation. Mathilde's loss of the necklace forced her to abandon her materialistic lifestyle and learn the value of hard work and self-pride. However, her downfall was her own pettiness and inability to be content or honest. The cruel irony is her sacrifice for a necklace that turned out to be worthless, underscoring the futility of her former materialistic values.

The significance and role of the necklace in "The Necklace."

The necklace in "The Necklace" symbolizes wealth and status, representing Madame Loisel's desire for a more luxurious life. Its loss leads to a decade of hardship for her and her husband, ultimately revealing the futility of her materialistic aspirations when it is discovered to have been a fake all along.

What does the necklace symbolize in Maupassant's story, and what techniques does he use?

The necklace symbolizes Mathilde's pride and materialistic nature, leading to her downfall and illustrating the futility of materialism. Maupassant employs a limited third-person narrator to enhance tension and surprise, while also using symbolism, irony, and a fable-like structure to convey a moral lesson. This combination of techniques emphasizes the theme that vanity and the pursuit of superficial beauty can result in unhappiness and ruin.

The symbolism of the necklace

The necklace in "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant symbolizes the deceptive nature of appearances and the dangers of vanity. Initially, it represents wealth and social status that Mathilde Loisel desires. However, its loss and the subsequent hardships reveal the superficiality of such aspirations, illustrating how her misplaced values lead to her downfall and a life of unnecessary struggle.

Why didn't Mathilde admit to losing the necklace in "The Necklace"?

Mathilde did not admit to losing the necklace due to her pride and embarrassment. She longed for a life of wealth and was thrilled to wear a borrowed "diamond" necklace to a ball. Upon losing it, she and her husband decided to replace it secretly, incurring significant debt. This decision stemmed from pride and the hope of averting immediate shame. Had they confessed, they would have discovered the necklace was a fake, avoiding years of hardship.

What happens after Madam Forestier realizes Madam Loisel's necklace was real diamond?

After Madam Forestier realizes the necklace was real diamond, she is shocked and reveals to Madam Loisel that the original necklace was actually an imitation, worth only 500 francs. This revelation comes after Madam Loisel and her husband spent ten years paying off a genuine diamond replacement, mistakenly believing the original was real. Their efforts were in vain as the lost necklace was merely costume jewelry, highlighting the consequences of Madam Loisel's initial dishonesty.

Madame Loisel's Aspirations vs. Reality in "The Necklace"

In "The Necklace," Madame Loisel aspires to a life of luxury and social prominence, desiring jewels, fine clothes, and the admiration of high society. However, her reality starkly contrasts with these dreams; she is the discontent wife of a clerk, living in modest circumstances. Her dissatisfaction is heightened by her envy of wealthier acquaintances and her inability to appreciate her current comforts. This tension between her aspirations and reality underscores the story's themes of vanity and materialism.

Why did Mme. Forestier in "The Necklace" own a fake necklace and not inform Mme. Loisel about its authenticity?

Madame Forestier owned a fake necklace possibly because she wanted to allow Mathilde to feel special without risking a valuable item. She might have assumed Mathilde knew it was fake or believed it unnecessary to disclose its authenticity. Madame Forestier's surprise at Mathilde's reaction suggests she didn't anticipate the misunderstanding. The story illustrates themes of class differences and assumptions, with Mathilde's pride and deception leading to her financial ruin.

What does the quote and ironic tone suggest about life's complexity in "The Necklace"?

The quote and ironic tone in "The Necklace" highlight life's complexity by underscoring how small actions can lead to significant consequences. Madame Loisel's decision to replace a lost necklace, believed to be valuable, results in years of hardship, only to later learn it was costume jewelry. This irony suggests that pride and material desires can lead to one's downfall, emphasizing how seemingly minor decisions can dramatically alter the course of life.

What does the sentence "She lived like the poor lived, not what she thought was poverty earlier on" from "The Necklace" mean?

This sentence from "The Necklace" describes the change we see in Mathilde later in the story. She is entitled, spoiled, and miserable with her life. She feels that she deserves better, and she often dreams of having more and nicer possessions. She considers herself poor and feels sorry for herself. She learns the true meaning of poverty when she loses her friend's necklace and is forced to make sacrifices and work long, hard hours to pay for a replacement.

In "The Necklace," what assumption did the Loisels make that changed their lives?

The necklace is real diamonds.

What theme does Madame Loisel's longings hint at in "The Necklace"?

Madame Loisel's longings in "The Necklace" hint at the theme of appreciating what one has rather than yearning for more. Her dissatisfaction stems from her desire for wealth and status, despite her beauty and comfortable life. This longing leads to her downfall when she loses a borrowed necklace, symbolizing the illusion of happiness through materialism. Ultimately, the story suggests that happiness is fleeting and that true contentment comes from valuing what we already possess.

Show another question (6 questions hidden)

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Previous

Themes: Greed

Next

Themes: Beauty and Vanity

Loading...