The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant

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Questions and Answers

What item does Mathilde want to borrow from her friend?

A necklace

How does Mathilde feel at the party?

She is happy and confident.

Where do the Loisels go after the party?

They return home.

What does Mathilde discover after the party?

The necklace is missing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the husband's reaction when Mathilde tells him about the missing necklace?

He doesn't believe her at first. Signup and view all the answers

What do the Loisels do to try to find the necklace?

They search their apartment and retrace their steps from the party. Signup and view all the answers

How does the husband's appearance change after searching for the necklace?

He looks older and more tired. Signup and view all the answers

What happens by the end of the week?

They give up hope of finding the necklace. Signup and view all the answers

What does Loisel inherit from his father that helps him purchase a replacement necklace?

Eighteen thousand francs Signup and view all the answers

Besides his inheritance, how does Loisel obtain the rest of the money for the replacement necklace?

He borrows it from various sources, including loan sharks and moneylenders. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mme. Forestier say "You should have returned it sooner. I might have needed it."

She states this upon the return of the necklace, because she was planning to use the necklace at some point. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mme. Loisel do to make ends meet after losing the necklace?

She fires the maid, moves to a cheaper place, cooks, cleans, and does other housework. Signup and view all the answers

How does Loisel contribute to paying back the debt?

He works evenings as a bookkeeper and copies documents at night. Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take the Loisels to pay off all of their debts?

Ten years. Signup and view all the answers

What change does Mme. Loisel face as a result of her struggles in the story?

She looks like an old woman now. Signup and view all the answers

What does the story imply about the relationship between Mme. Loisel and Mme. Forestier?

Their relationship is not close, Mme. Forestier is indifferent to her struggles. Signup and view all the answers

What was Mathilde's initial reaction to not having an evening gown for the party?

She felt she couldn't go to the party because she didn't have the right clothes. Signup and view all the answers

How much money did Mathilde ask her husband for a gown?

She asked for four hundred francs. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mathilde's husband react to her request for money?

He turned pale because he had saved that much for a rifle. Signup and view all the answers

What was Mathilde's emotional state as the party approached?

She was sad, moody, and upset despite having her outfit ready. Signup and view all the answers

What item did Mathilde feel she was missing to complete her party outfit?

She felt she needed jewelry to feel complete. Signup and view all the answers

What suggestion did Mathilde's husband make to solve her jewelry dilemma?

He suggested that she borrow jewelry from her wealthy friend, Mme. Forestier. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did picking up the diamond necklace have on Mathilde?

It made her heart beat faster and caused her hands to shake. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mathilde's borrowing of the necklace reveal about her character?

It reveals her desire to appear wealthy and prestigious, despite not being so. Signup and view all the answers

What is Mathilde's main source of unhappiness in her life?

Mathilde's main source of unhappiness is her lack of wealth and fine clothes, which prevents her from feeling beautiful and envied. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mathilde react to the invitation to the grand party?

Mathilde initially tosses aside the invitation and expresses disappointment, feeling she has nothing suitable to wear. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mathilde's husband suggest she wear to the party?

Mathilde's husband suggests that she wear her theater dress, which he thinks looks quite nice. Signup and view all the answers

What theme is suggested by Mathilde's daydreams about wealth?

The theme suggested by Mathilde's daydreams is the pursuit of materialism and the longing for social status. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mathilde burst into tears when her husband gives her the invitation?

Mathilde bursts into tears because she feels hopeless about her appearance and her inability to attend the party in style. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'felt she should have them' imply about Mathilde's character?

The phrase implies that Mathilde has a strong sense of entitlement and believes she deserves a more luxurious life. Signup and view all the answers

What does the invitation to the party symbolize for Mathilde?

The invitation symbolizes an opportunity for Mathilde to experience the high society she longs for but feels she cannot attain. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mathilde's attitude towards her husband reveal about their relationship?

Her attitude reveals a lack of appreciation for her husband's efforts, as she dismisses his suggestion with disdain. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mathilde mean when she says, "all because of you!" to Mme. Forestier?

Mathilde blames Mme. Forestier for the loss of the original necklace. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mathilde feel when she tells Mme. Forestier that they replaced the necklace?

Mathilde feels proud and joyful sharing the news about replacing the necklace with a similar one. Signup and view all the answers

What is the irony in Mathilde's statement, "They were quite alike,"?

The irony is that Mathilde believed she replaced it with an identical diamond necklace, when it turns out the original was a fake. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mme. Forestier's reaction, 'Oh, my poor Mathilde', suggest about her character?

It suggests she is compassionate toward Mathilde and feels bad about the hardship she endured. Signup and view all the answers

Besides the financial burden, what else does Mathilde's experience replacing the necklace reveal about her character?

It reveals her sense of personal pride and determination, but also her naivety and vanity. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about Mathilde's life from the line,'Yes, I’ve had a hard time'?

This implies she endured long working hours, financial stress, and a significantly poorer quality of life than before. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concluding line: 'Mine was fake' reveal about Mme. Forestier?

It revealed Mme. Forestier was wealthy enough to have fake jewelry and may not be as compassionate as she initially appeared. Signup and view all the answers

Why is this a 'point of view' change in lines 112-113? How is this significant to the story?

The narrative briefly shifts to an implied observer as opposed to Mathilde. The story is no longer just told through Mathilde's lens. This reveals Mathilde's inner feelings, not just what she says. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Necklace

Main Character: Mathilde Loisel, a pretty, middle-class woman, married to a clerk.
Initial Situation: Mathilde feels unhappy in her marriage due to a lack of expensive clothes and jewelry. She desires a luxurious lifestyle.
Invitation: Mathilde's husband receives an invitation to a grand party at the Ministerial Mansion.
Mathilde's Complaint: Mathilde complains she has no suitable outfit for the occasion.
Husband's Response: Her husband offers to buy her a dress and suggests she borrow jewelry from a wealthy friend.
Borrowed Necklace: Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from her friend, Mme. Forestier. She is very pleased with the necklace and enjoys the party.
Lost Necklace: At the end of the party, Mathilde realizes the necklace is missing.
Frantic Search: Mathilde and her husband work tirelessly to find and replace the necklace.
Financial Struggle: They take on a huge financial burden to purchase a similar necklace.
Long-Term Consequences: Mathilde and her husband struggle to repay their debt for 10 years.
Ten-Year Struggle: They endure significant sacrifice and hardship as they work to pay back the debt.
Final Encounter: Decades later Mathilde bumps into her old friend who reveals the original necklace was inexpensive.
Revelation's Impact: Mathilde realizes her ten-year sacrifice was for a fake necklace.

Additional Details

Dowry: Lack of a dowry (money from family) limits Mathilde's social opportunities.
Social Status: Mathilde desires a higher social status.
Materialism: The story highlights the dangers of materialism and the importance of contentment.
Sacrifice: Mathilde and her husband's 10 year sacrifice exemplifies the effort and hardship needed.
Perception: Mathilde's initial perception of happiness versus the reality of life.
Loss of Youth: Mathilde's appearance and well being are impacted due to the sacrifices and hardship she faces.
Friendship: Importance of a true friend like Mme Forestier.

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Description

Test your knowledge of 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, a poignant story that explores themes of vanity and materialism through the character of Mathilde Loisel. Discover how her desires lead to devastating consequences after losing a borrowed diamond necklace. Are you familiar with the characters, plot, and moral of this classic tale?