The Necklace by Maupassant Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is the background of 'The Necklace'?

The Necklace takes place in 'Belle Epoque' Paris in the second half of the 19th century.

What character is described as selfish, beautiful, charming, middle class, spoiled, and daydreamed?

Madame Loisel

What character is kind, generous, loyal, hard-working, and a clerk for the Ministry of Education?

Monsieur Loisel

What character is kind, generous, wealthy, and snobby?

Madame Forestier Signup and view all the answers

What is the plot of 'The Necklace'?

The story is about a woman who is unhappy with her social life, and new conflicts arise after one conflict is resolved. Signup and view all the answers

Whose perspective is the story told from?

Third person Signup and view all the answers

What is the internal conflict of the character?

Mme. Loisel battles against her own excessive pride, materialism, and shallowness. Signup and view all the answers

What does the necklace symbolize?

Greed/desire for what one cannot have, differences in social classes, and dishonesty. Signup and view all the answers

What does the dress symbolize?

Mr. Loisel's sacrifice for his wife's happiness. Signup and view all the answers

What are the possible morals of 'The Necklace'?

<ol> <li>People should be happy with what they have. 2. Honesty is the best policy. 3. You may pay a terrible price for greed and desire.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How does the author present Mme. Loisel's character?

By concentrating on the way she views her surroundings and her appreciation of her husband. Signup and view all the answers

What is ironic about the story?

Mme. L borrows a necklace to fit in, but losing it results in her being poorer; she endures 10 years only to find it was a fake. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Background of "The Necklace"

Set in 'Belle Epoque' Paris during the late 19th century, a time marked by cultural, artistic, and social dynamism.

Madame Loisel

Selfish, charming, and beautiful yet spoiled by her middle-class upbringing.
Experiences rapid aging, becoming harsh and shrill as her circumstances change.

Monsieur Loisel

Kind-hearted, loyal, and hard-working clerk in the Ministry of Education.
Seeks to make his wife happy despite their modest lifestyle.

Madame Forestier

Wealthy friend of Madame Loisel, embodies kindness but also exhibits snobbish traits.

Plot Overview

Centers around Madame Loisel's dissatisfaction with her social status, leading to a chain of conflicts and the eventual downfall following her longing for a different life.

Narrative Perspective

Told from a third-person perspective, focusing primarily on Madame Loisel’s inner thoughts and feelings.

Internal Conflict

Madame Loisel struggles with excessive pride, materialism, and feelings of deprivation, leading to emotional turmoil.

Symbolism of the Necklace

Represents greed, the desire for unattainable luxury, social class differences, and dishonesty, reflecting Madame Loisel's superficiality.

Symbolism of the Dress

Embodies Monsieur Loisel's sacrifices made for his wife's happiness and their hopes for social acceptance.

Possible Morals of "The Necklace"

Encourages contentment with one's circumstances, highlights the value of honesty, and warns of the dire consequences of greed and material desires.

Presentation of Madame Loisel’s Character

Author highlights her character through her perspectives and daydreams about luxury, contrasting with her lack of appreciation for her husband's support.

Irony in the Story

Madame Loisel borrows a necklace to appear affluent, only to face extreme poverty after losing it and working for a decade, ultimately discovering it was a fake, highlighting the futility of her desires.

Description

Test your knowledge on 'The Necklace' by Guy De Maupassant with these flashcards. Explore the characters, setting, and key themes of this classic short story. This quiz will help you understand the context and nuances of the story.