10 Questions
What is the primary reason Mathilde refuses to wear flowers as suggested by Monsieur Loisel?
She wants to show off the diamond necklace instead.
What is the result of Monsieur Loisel's search for the necklace?
He is unable to find the necklace.
What is the total cost of the replacement necklace?
36,000 francs
How does Mathilde feel when she realizes the necklace is missing?
She is panicked and terrified.
What is the outcome of Mathilde's decision to wear the diamond necklace to the party?
She is the center of attention and feels self-satisfied.
What is the primary reason Mathilde refuses to visit her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier?
She feels that visiting her will bring her heartbreak.
What is the amount of money Mathilde's husband agrees to spend on a suitable dress for her?
400 francs
What is the occupation of Mathilde's husband?
A clerk in the Ministry of Education
What is the thing that Mathilde regrets most in her life?
Her poverty
What is the event that prompts Mathilde's husband to give her the money for a new dress?
A formal party hosted by the Ministry of Education
Study Notes
Mathilde Loisel's Character
- Mathilde is "pretty and charming" but unhappy with her economic status.
- She feels the burden of her poverty intensely and dreams of a more extravagant existence.
- She is obsessed with fancy jewels and clothing, believing they are essential to her desirability.
Mathilde's Marriage and Lifestyle
- Mathilde is married to a lowly clerk in the Ministry of Education.
- Her husband can only provide her with a modest, though not uncomfortable, lifestyle.
- She is dissatisfied with her simple life and longs for a more luxurious one.
The Party Invitation
- Mathilde's husband returns home with an invitation to a formal party hosted by the Ministry of Education.
- Mathilde is upset and cries, claiming she has nothing to wear and insisting her husband give the invitation to one of his friends.
- Her husband agrees to give her 400 francs to buy a suitable dress.
The Diamond Necklace
- Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier.
- She is overjoyed and grateful for Madame Forestier's generosity.
- At the party, Mathilde is the most beautiful woman in attendance, and everyone notices her.
The Loss of the Necklace
- After the party, Mathilde discovers that the necklace is no longer around her neck.
- Monsieur Loisel searches for the necklace but cannot find it.
- They concoct a story to tell Madame Forestier, saying that the clasp is broken and being mended.
The Consequences
- The Loisels search for a similar necklace and eventually find one that costs 36,000 francs.
- They spend a week scraping up money from various sources, mortgaging the rest of their existence to replace the necklace.
Explore the character traits and desires of Mathilde Loisel, a protagonist in Guy de Maupassant's short story The Necklace. Understand her motivations, feelings, and lifestyle.
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