The Necklace

The large diamonds sank heavily on her bronze neck, enlightening her eyes and making her feel like she was someone important. Her long dress, fitted perfectly around her slim figure danced as she did with gracious husband. What a fine night that would be to have been the center of attention even though at home you are nothing but a house wife. Touching her neck as she waltzes home she gasps in horror to find that the necklace that she borrowed from a friend was not there hanging loosely on her neck. Without finding it, her sweet, selfless husband works hard to pay it off to later figure out it was not even close to what they thought it was worth. Guy de Maupassant has a way to make a story interesting and inviting while teaching you a lesson that on why we should be selfless.

Everyone in the world , even if you might not want to admit it, wants to be noticed in some way. Mathilde Loisel was “one of those pretty and charming girls” though she never felt like anyone really knew that she existed. Maupassant writes her character and tries to show that she thought she was born for every delicacy and luxury though now she is only a middle-class housewife. Many understand right away the hardship and depression that Mathilde is going through because of how the author writes her character. When she is presented with the invite that her selfless husband has worked hard to find, she rudely says she can’t go because she isn’t presentable and doesn’t want anyone to know that she is just a housewife.
“I don’t know exactly, but it seems to me that with four hundred francs I might do it.” She says to her husband.
He grew a little pale, for he was reserving just that sum to buy a gun and treat himself to a little shooting, the next summer, on the plain of Nanterre, with some friends who used to shoot larks there on Sunday. But he said—
“All right. I will give you four hundred francs. But take care to have a pretty dress.” Just by the selflessness of the words that Maupassant makes the man say starts to state the author’s point to this whole story.

She might have a dress but she must have a necklace that shows her beauty. Borrowing from her friend, Mathilde wears the necklace to the ball that is filled with men who seem to think she is one of the most beautiful woman. Though this is what she has always wanted, she came home to find something unremarkably saddening; She has lost her friend's beautiful diamond necklace. The unnerving energy washed through her body when she found a replacement that costs way to much than they can afford but then again, the selfless husband takes all of his time and work to try to pay of the necklace. The way the author writes to show understanding and contentment with the husbands life makes many want to read more and learn more into the questionable story.

Many have heard the saying stating that what you really wanted was there all along. Mathilde always wanted someone to notice her, accept her beauty and understand what she really wanted though she never really realized that that is what her husband has been giving her. To top off this lesson filled story, after ten long years of trying to pay back the expensive necklace and having Mathilde and her husband left with nothing, she finds later on that the necklace that she barrowed was decorated with fake diamonds instead of the real ones that she gave back. Even though his wife wanted all of these things including a dress, necklace and now that he had to pay of the loss of it, the husband still stuck with Mathilde even though this whole mess was because of her selfishness.

His heart sank when he couldn’t find the necklace that his wife has recently lost. She did look remarkably beautiful that night but because of that one necklace he had to waste ten years and the rest of the life trying to recover from the unremarkable mix up of the diamonds that lined the hollow part of her neck. Guy de Maupassant made a interesting point to state that what you have is the real treasure compared to what you want. The way he also showed selflessness by keeping readers interested in the story was very interesting and refreshing. The lessons and the way he sparks the thought of some concerns are incredible and with the bite at the end that pulls on the heartstrings really makes the story memorable. Though that is true, many also should realize that the author writes to make readers feel different and open to the idea of contentment, consuming the reality, and realizing that you receive more and feel better when you are selfless.