The Necklace

The Necklace is a short story by the French writer Guy de Maupassant. It conveys the message that people should be happy with what they have. If they are not, it can bring them problems and anxiety.

The story introduces the reader to Mathilde Loisel, a pretty woman married to a clerk in the Ministry of Education. Though he works hard, he can only provide her with a modest lifestyle. She regrets her economic circumstances and imagines a more extravagant lifestyle. Though she has no fancy jewels or clothing, she longs for them constantly. She has one wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, but refuses to visit her because of the sadness it gives her.

One night her husband proudly gives her an invitation to a formal party hosted by the Ministry of Education. He hopes that his wife will be happy to attend, but she is angry and begins to cry. She explains that she has nothing to wear and she suggests that he give the invitation to a friend whose wife can afford better clothes. Her husband is upset by her reaction and asks how much a nice dress costs. She thinks it over carefully and tells him that 400 francs is enough. Though he is astounded by the amount, he agrees to give her the money.

As the day of the party approaches, Mathilde behaves strangely. She confesses that the reason for her behaviour is her lack of jewels. Her husband suggests that she wear flowers, but she refuses. He asks her to visit Madame Forrestier and borrow jewels from her. Madame Forestier agrees, and Mathilde selects a diamond necklace. She is very grateful for her friend's generosity.

At the party, Mathilde is the most beautiful woman, and everyone notices her. She loves the attention and feels very satisfied. At 4 a.m. she finally looks for her husband, who has fallen asleep in an empty room. He covers her shoulders in a coat and asks her to wait inside, away from the cold air, while he gets a taxi. She is ashamed of the cheap coat but follows him outside and they get into a taxi.

When they arrive home, Mathilde is sad that the night has ended. As she removes her coat, she discovers that her necklace is no longer around her neck. In a panic, her husband goes outside and retraces their steps. Terrified, she sits and waits for him. He returns and is in even greater panic because he has not found the necklace. He tells her to write to Madame Forestier with the excuse that she damaged the necklace and is getting it repaired.

They continue to look for the necklace but fail to find it. After one week, her husband says they have to replace it. They visit many jewellers in search of a similar necklace and finally find one. It costs 40,000 francs, but the jeweller says he can give it to them for 36,000. Mr. Loisel decides to use the money he has saved from his father and to borrow money from different people . He then buys the necklace, and Mathilde returns it to Madame Forestier. Her friend is annoyed that Mathilde took so long to return it, but does not open the case to inspect it. Mathilde is relieved.

The Loisels begin a life of poverty. They dismiss their servant and move into a smaller apartment. Mr. Loisel now has now three jobs and Mathilde spends all her time doing housework. Their misery lasts ten years, but they finally manage to repay their financial debts. Mathilde's beauty has disappeared. She and her husband are tired and stressed from their many years of hardship.

One Sunday, while she is out for a walk, Mathilde notices Madame Forestier. Feeling emotional, she approaches her and greets her. Madame Forestier does not recognize her, and when Mathilde identifies herself, Madame Forestier cannot help but say that she looks different. Mathilde explains the long story of losing the necklace, replacing it and working for ten years to pay their debts. At the end of her story, Madame Forestier takes Mathilde's hands and tells her that the original necklace was imitation and worth 500 francs at the most.

Mathilde longs for a life of luxury, but her dissatisfaction causes her many years of hardship. Though her husband cannot provide her with the lifestyle that she desires, he loves her. The story The Necklace teaches that people should be happy with what they have but also the value of honesty. If Mathilde had told Madame Loisel the truth about the necklace, she probably woud have been able to replace it easily.