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Essay / The Necklace: A Critical Analysis
Table of ContentsIntroductionPlot SummaryCharacter AnalysisTheme AnalysisSymbolismConclusionIntroductionA. Hook: “The Necklace” is a captivating short story written by Guy de Maupassant that addresses themes of wealth, social status and appearances. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayB. Background Information: The story revolves around the life of Mathilde Loisel, a disgruntled housewife who yearns for a more luxurious lifestyle and social status.C. Thesis Statement: This essay will analyze the characters, themes, and symbolism of “The Necklace” to understand the message conveyed by the author and how it is relevant to our society today. Plot Summary Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful but unsatisfied housewife, dreams of a luxurious lifestyle and higher social status than her current middle-class life. She is lucky enough to attend a prestigious social event but is displeased to find that her simple jewelry does not match her expectations of elegance. She borrows an expensive necklace from her rich friend to fit in with the crowd; however, she loses it on the way home. Mathilde and her husband, Monsieur Loisel, spend their savings to replace the necklace, and begin to suffer financially. Mathilde later discovers that the necklace was a fake and the couple goes through years of difficulty repaying the debts incurred when purchasing the new necklace.Character AnalysisA. Mathilde LoiselMathilde is the protagonist of the story, and her dissatisfaction with her social class and her desire for a more luxurious lifestyle drives the plot's conflict. She is described as a beautiful and charming woman but unhappy with her middle-class life. Mathilde becomes more materialistic as the story progresses, longing for luxuries such as furs, diamonds, and sumptuous clothing. However, his character transforms after losing the necklace and having to work hard to repay debts, which makes him realize that happiness is not defined by material possessions alone.B. Monsieur LoiselMonsieur Loisel is Mathilde's supportive husband, who works hard to provide for his family and keep his wife happy. He is described as a kind, patient and understanding man, determined to make his wife happy. His love for Mathilde is demonstrated when he agrees to give up his savings and lend them the rest of the money needed to replace the lost necklace. Monsieur Loisel acts as a foil to Mathilde's desires, prioritizing the well-being of their family over material goods and social status.Theme AnalysisA. Wealth and Social StatusThe theme of wealth and social status permeates the story, with the character of Mathilde yearning for a luxurious lifestyle and social recognition. The author describes the lure of wealth and the consequences of prioritizing wealth over personal happiness. Mathilde's obsession with material possessions leads to her downfall and a difficult standard of living after realizing that the necklace she desperately wanted to keep up appearances was a fake. She realizes that the social status she so desired was not worth the suffering she had to endure for years, which led to her final transformation.B. Appearance versus reality The theme of appearance versus reality is present in the story, with the necklace being a symbol of false appearances and materialism. Mathilde is so concerned about appearances that she borrows the necklace to impress her friends, without knowing that it is a fake. This theme highlights