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The Necklace

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The Necklace
"The Necklace" is a short story by Guy de Maupassant that places its focus on a beautiful

young woman named Mathilde and a diamond necklace. Mathilde is the main character with whom

we get to know the most. She is a woman who yearns to be wealthy and envied, desiring everything

glamorous. Her and her husband are far from poor, having a maid and other nonessential items, but

she still isn't satisfied with their apartment and lifestyle.

Mathilde's husband is the opposite and is more content with what they have. Although he

doesn't quite understand his wife, he loves her and his only want is her happiness. He's excited to

surprise her and satisfy her money fixated ways when he brings home an invitation to a ball. Mathilde

is
…show more content…

She finds help from a friend who says she is free to borrow whatever piece of jewelry

catches her eye, and she goes with a seemingly pricey and valuable diamond necklace. Mathilde's

world seems to come crashing down when she learns that the beloved necklace that she borrowed

has gone missing.

Mathilde and her husband go through a rough ten years of working hard and rummaging for any

money available so that they can pay back their loans and debt that they have fallen deep into from

buying a replacement. Finally, she runs into Madame Forestier again, only to find out that the

necklace was fake and not worth all that they had worked so hard to earn. Although it is tough, I

believe that Mathilde ultimately comes out a better person. Her sometimes vile and bitter attitude is

somewhat transformed by the end when she learns that not everything, not even happiness, revolves

around money. The story teaches us to be grateful for everything that we have and to be observant

because things are not always as they seem.

The necklace in this story is much more than only a mere piece of jewelry, but further

symbolizes that not all that glitters is gold. Though the necklace looks valuable and pricey, it


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