Class 10- ‘The Necklace’ Summary, Theme & Analysis

Guy de Maupassant’s ‘The Necklace’ Word Meanings, Summary, Theme, Questions Answers, Important Passages and Extra Questions.

Chapter 7- The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant

More from First Flight: Class 10 PROSE & Class 10 POETRY

Vocabulary/Word Meanings:

Idiomatic Expressions present in the story.

Summary ‘The Necklace’: 

In Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace”, a young woman, Matilda Loisel, dreams of a luxurious life but is married to a modest clerk. Her husband brings home an invitation to a grand ball, but Matilda is upset as she lacks a fancy dress and jewellery. Her husband sacrifices his savings to buy her a dress, and she borrows a diamond necklace from her friend, Mme Forestier. 

Matilda dazzles at the ball but loses the necklace. Unable to find it, the couple buys a replacement for 36,000 francs, plunging into poverty to repay the debt. After ten years of hardship, Matilda learns the necklace is fake, worth only 500 francs. The story highlights the dangers of vanity and the cost of dishonesty.

Theme ‘The Necklace’: 

1. The Consequences of Dishonesty:

In “The Necklace,” Mathilde and her husband face great hardship because they decide to hide the truth. When Mathilde loses the borrowed necklace, instead of telling the truth to her friend Madame Forestier, they choose to replace it secretly. If they had explained the situation honestly, Madame Forestier might have forgiven them, and they wouldn’t have had to endure ten years of suffering. This theme shows how dishonesty can lead to greater consequences and that telling the truth is often the best choice to avoid unnecessary pain and hardship.

2. The Danger of Pride and Vanity:

Mathilde Loisel feels ashamed of her modest life and dreams of living in luxury. She borrows a beautiful necklace to look wealthy at a fancy party, thinking it will make her happy. However, her pride and need to appear rich lead her to lose sight of the simple joys in her life. When the necklace is lost, she and her husband face years of hardship trying to replace it, showing how too much focus on appearances and material wealth can cause great suffering.

3. The Illusion of Wealth:

The story also teaches us that wealth and possessions can be deceptive. Mathilde believes that wearing a beautiful necklace will bring her happiness and respect. However, after she loses it, she and her husband go through a long and painful struggle to replace it. Ultimately, they discover that the necklace she borrowed was not valuable—it was only a cheap imitation. It shows how chasing false dreams of wealth can lead to disappointment and hardship.

4. Sacrifice and Irony:

Mathilde and her husband sacrifice everything to pay off the debt for the lost necklace. They give up their comfortable life, work long hours, and live in poverty for many years. But in the end, they find out that the necklace was not expensive, and their years of suffering were all for nothing. The conclusion creates an ironic twist: Mathilde’s life is ruined by a mistake that could have been avoided, and her sacrifices are in vain. The story highlights how life’s challenges and sacrifices may sometimes have unexpected and ironic outcomes.

1. Character Sketch of Mathilde Loisel:

1. Dreamer of Luxury:

• Desire for a lavish life: Mathilde feels she deserves a life filled with wealth, beauty, and luxury. She dreams of attending fancy parties, wearing fine clothes, and being admired by others.

• Discontent with her social status: Though married to a clerk in the Ministry of Education, she feels her life is far below her expectations. She compares herself to wealthier women and wishes she could experience their lifestyle.

2. Materialistic Nature:

• Value of appearances: Mathilde values material possessions like expensive jewellery, clothing, and extravagant events more than life’s simple pleasures.

• Neglect of her life: Her obsession with wealth blinds her to the value of what she already has. Her modest home and her husband’s love are not enough for her; she longs for more visible signs of affluence.

3. Vanity and Pride:

• Seeking admiration: Mathilde is concerned with how others perceive her, so she feels the need to appear wealthy, even though she isn’t.

• Feeling undeserving of her current life: Her vanity makes her look down on her current life, making her think that she is meant for something grander than the reality she faces.

4. Decision to Borrow the Necklace:

• Influenced by her desire for wealth: Mathilde is unhappy when her husband invites her to a prestigious ball because she has nothing suitable to wear. Her desire to appear rich drives her to borrow a necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, believing it will make her stand out.

• Lack of practicality: She doesn’t consider the risks of borrowing expensive jewellery. Her focus is entirely on her appearance and how others will see her at the ball.

5. The Consequence of Her Vanity:

• Losing the necklace: Mathilde’s obsession with her appearance leads to losing the borrowed necklace. Instead of admitting her mistake, she replaces it with an identical one, spending a lot of money.

• Entering a life of hardship: Mathilde and her husband take on a huge debt to pay for the replacement. They live in poverty for the next ten years, working tirelessly and sacrificing their comfort.

6. Transformation Through Hardship:

• Years of labour and exhaustion: Mathilde’s life changes drastically over ten years. She works as a maid, grows older, and becomes physically tired and worn.

• Personal growth through suffering: Though she becomes stronger from all the hard work, Mathilde’s beauty fades, and she is no longer the proud, elegant woman she once was.

7. The Irony and Realization:

• The revelation: After ten years, when Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier, she learns that the necklace is fake and worth only a fraction of what they had paid to replace it.

• The tragic irony: Mathilde’s years of sacrifice, hardship, and changed life were all in vain, as the necklace was not even valuable. This revelation comes too late for her to undo the damage.

8. Conclusion and Lessons Learned:

• A life changed forever: Mathilde’s character arc reveals the consequences of excessive vanity and the dangerous pursuit of superficial wealth.

• The folly of pride: Her inability to appreciate her simple life, her pride in her appearance, and her decision to act without honesty lead to her downfall.

• The emptiness of materialism: Mathilde’s story illustrates the emptiness of material possessions and the importance of valuing what truly matters—love, honesty, and contentment.

2. Character Sketch of Monsieur Loisel:

1. Hardworking and Practical:

• Dutiful clerk: Monsieur Loisel works as a clerk in the Ministry of Education. He is a steady, dependable man who takes his work seriously and is content with his job.

• Practical outlook: He is grounded in reality and does not desire wealth or luxury. He focuses on providing for his family and maintaining a modest, comfortable life.

2. Loving and Caring Husband:

• Devoted to Mathilde: Monsieur Loisel deeply loves his wife and is concerned about her happiness. He strives to make her comfortable despite not having much wealth.

• Sensitive to her feelings: When Mathilde complains about not having a beautiful dress for the ball, he sacrifices his desires to make her happy. He offers her the money he has saved for a hunting rifle to buy the dress.

3. Generosity and Sacrifice:

• Willing to make sacrifices: Monsieur Loisel is ready to give up his small pleasures for Mathilde’s happiness. His decision to give her the money for the dress shows his willingness to sacrifice his desires for her joy.

• Sacrificing more for the necklace: After Mathilde loses it, Monsieur Loisel works tirelessly to replace it. He borrows money, takes on debt, and works long hours to ensure the necklace is replaced, even though it causes them great hardship.

4. Responsible and Supportive:

• Taking responsibility: Despite their difficult situation, Monsieur Loisel remains responsible. He doesn’t complain or blame Mathilde for the necklace’s loss. Instead, he supports her as they work to pay off the debt together.

• Teamwork with Mathilde: Throughout the ten years of hardship, Monsieur Loisel works hard, often taking on extra work, to help pay off their debts. He does so without resenting his wife, showing his commitment to their shared responsibility.

5. Content with Simplicity:

• No desire for grandeur: Unlike Mathilde, Monsieur Loisel is satisfied with a simple life. He is not concerned with luxury or social status. He is happy with what he has and does not seek to impress others.

• Embraces modesty: Even when they are living in poverty after replacing the necklace, Monsieur Loisel remains humble and continues to live within his means, accepting their situation without complaint.

6. Patient and Tolerant:

• Enduring hardship: For ten years, Monsieur Loisel faces immense difficulty but remains patient and tolerant of the changes in their life. He accepts the hardships without blaming Mathilde or feeling bitter.

• Support through adversity: Throughout their struggles, Monsieur Loisel does not lose his calm demeanour. He supports Mathilde emotionally and financially, showing his resilience and loyalty.

7. The Unnoticed Hero:

• Background sacrifice: While Mathilde’s transformation makes her the story’s centre, Monsieur Loisel’s sacrifice is often unnoticed. His dedication to replacing the necklace and tireless efforts to pay off the debt remains largely in the background.

• A quiet, humble man: Monsieur Loisel’s character is marked by humility. He does not seek recognition or admiration for his sacrifices, and his love for Mathilde is expressed through his actions rather than words.

8. Conclusion and Lessons Learned:

• A man of duty: Monsieur Loisel represents the hardworking, responsible man who values duty over luxury and contentment over status. His love for Mathilde is selfless and unwavering.
• The importance of sacrifice: Monsieur Loisel’s character shows the importance of sacrifice and dedication to one’s family, even in difficult times. His patience and resilience help them survive their years of hardship.

• The contrast with Mathilde: His character sharply contrasts Mathilde’s vanity and desire for wealth, highlighting their values and priorities.

Question Answers ‘The Necklace’ by Guy de Maupassant:

Think about it:

Q1: The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.

A1: The Loisels’ life changed dramatically because of the necklace. Before the necklace, they lived a simple life. Mme Loisel was unhappy with her life and wanted more wealth. 

When she borrowed the necklace to look beautiful at the ball, she thought it would solve her problems. But after losing the necklace, the Loisels were forced to replace it with a similar one, which led to a life of hardship. 

They had to borrow money, work extra hard, and live in poverty for ten years to pay off the debt. The necklace, which seemed like a small solution at first, became a huge burden that changed their lives forever. Mme Loisel went from dreaming of luxury to experiencing the struggle of daily survival.

Q2: What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?

A2: Matilda’s ruin was caused by her desire for wealth and status. She wanted to look rich at the ball and borrowed a fancy necklace. When she lost it, she had to borrow a lot of money to replace it. Over the next ten years, she and her husband worked hard to pay off the debt, living a life of poverty. 

Matilda could have avoided her ruin if she had been honest with her friend about losing the necklace. Instead of trying to appear wealthy, she could have accepted her simple life and not let her pride and vanity guide her decisions.

Q3: What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?

A3: If Matilda had confessed to her friend that she had lost the necklace, her life would have been different. Her friend would have understood, and Matilda could have replaced the necklace with one that was much cheaper. 

There would have been no need for the years of hard work, debt, and suffering. Matilda’s life would have stayed simple, and she would not have faced the hardships of trying to keep up appearances. Being honest would have saved her from the ruin she went through.

Q4: If you were caught in a situation like this, how would you have dealt with it?

A4: If I were Matilda’s situation, I would have chosen to be honest and tell my friend about the lost necklace. I would explain the situation and ask for help to find a solution. Instead of being afraid of what people might think, I would focus on solving the problem calmly. I could have asked for time to buy a replacement or find a similar necklace. Honesty would have prevented a lot of stress and difficulty. I would not let pride take over and cause unnecessary hardship. By being truthful, I believe I could have avoided the pain and suffering Matilda experienced and kept my life much simpler.

Talk About It: 

Q1: The characters in this story speak in English. Do you think this is their language? What clues are there in the story about the language its characters must be speaking in?

A1: The characters in the story speak in English but are from France, so their native language would likely be French. There are clues in the story that suggest they talk to the French, such as their names—Matilda and Monsieur Loisel, which are common French names. Additionally, the setting and cultural details in the story point to a French background. 

For example, the story talks about Paris, a French city, and mentions things like a ball and a necklace, which are part of French culture. The story is written in English for readers, but the characters would have spoken French daily. The English version helps readers understand their thoughts and actions.

Q2: Honesty is the best policy.

A2: In the story, Matilda’s life changes because she chooses not to be honest. When she loses the necklace, she doesn’t tell her friend, Madame Forestier, the truth. Instead, Matilda and her husband replace the necklace without admitting what happened. If Matilda had been honest and told Madame Forestier about the loss, she might have avoided years of hard work and suffering. 

Madame Forestier could have understood, and the situation might have been resolved more quickly. The story shows that honesty is important to prevent problems from worsening. Being truthful helps people trust you and makes life less complicated. The lesson teaches us that it’s always better to tell the truth, even in difficult situations.

Q3: We should be content with what life gives us.

A3: In the story, Matilda is unhappy because she is not content with what life gives her. She dreams of a life of luxury and wealth, even though she has a simple, modest life with her husband. Her desire for more leads her to borrow the necklace, which causes her downfall. If Matilda had accepted her life, she might not have faced the following hardships. 

The story teaches us that being satisfied with what we have is important. We can avoid unnecessary struggles by focusing on what is truly valuable, like love, health, and contentment. We don’t need to compare ourselves to others or wish for more than life gives us.

Extra Questions ‘The Necklace’:

Short Answer Type Questions:

Q1: Why was Mme Loisel unhappy despite having a modest life with her husband?

A1: Mme Loisel was unhappy because she dreamed of wealth, luxury, and a glamorous life. She felt trapped in her simple lifestyle, resented her shabby apartment, and disliked her modest possessions. Her dissatisfaction made her long for riches and elegance, which she believed she deserved but could never achieve.

Q2: How did Mme Loisel react when her husband brought the invitation to the ball home?

A2: Mme Loisel was not happy when her husband brought the invitation. Instead, she angrily threw it down, complaining she had no suitable dress. Her reaction surprised her husband, who had hoped to make her happy with the rare opportunity to attend a grand event.

Q3: Why did Mme Loisel borrow jewellery from Mme Forestier for the ball?

A3: Mme Loisel borrowed jewellery from Mme Forestier to look elegant and avoid feeling poor among wealthy women at the ball. She believed wearing a beautiful necklace would make her appear more glamorous and help her fit in with the luxurious surroundings of the event.

Q4: What happened to the necklace after the ball, and how did the Loisels react?

A4: Mme Loisel realised she had lost the necklace after the ball. The Loisels searched everywhere but couldn’t find it. Shocked and desperate, they borrowed money to buy a replacement, leading to ten years of hard work and poverty to repay their debts for the expensive necklace.

Q5: How did losing the necklace change Mme Loisel’s life?

A5: Losing the necklace forced Mme Loisel and her husband into extreme poverty. They sold possessions, borrowed money, and worked tirelessly for ten years to repay their debts. The hard labour aged Mme Loisel took away her beauty and dreams of wealth, leaving her life even harder than before.

Q6: What was Mme Forestier’s reaction when she learned the truth about the necklace?

A6: Mme Forestier was shocked when she learned that the Loisels had replaced her necklace with a new one. She revealed that the original necklace was fake and worth only a fraction of what they had spent, making their years of suffering unnecessary.

Q7: What is the irony at the end of the story?

A7: The irony is that Mme Loisel and her husband worked for ten years to replace a fake and inexpensive necklace. Mme Loisel’s desire to appear wealthy at the ball led to years of hardship, only to discover that her sacrifice had been for nothing.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Q1: What psychological impact did the ten years of hardship and poverty have on Mathilde and her husband? 

A1: The ten years of hardship and poverty had a deep psychological impact on both Mathilde and her husband. Mathilde, who once dreamed of a glamorous life, became worn out and lost her beauty due to the hard work and constant worry. She felt frustrated and bitter as she had to sacrifice her hopes for luxury. Her husband, on the other hand, grew more tired and less happy. 

He worked tirelessly to repay the debt, losing his carefree nature. Both of them became more serious and weary, showing how the burden of debt and poverty can change a person’s spirit. The loss of the necklace and the years of struggle it caused forever affected their lives.

Q2: How might Mathilde’s life have changed if she had embraced her modest circumstances instead of seeking luxury?

A2: If Mathilde had embraced her modest circumstances, her life could have been much easier and happier. Instead of feeling dissatisfied with her simple life, she could have appreciated the comforts she already had, like a loving husband and a stable home. By accepting her situation, Mathilde would have avoided the stress and hardship of her desire for luxury. 

She would have focused on building a more content and fulfilling life rather than longing for things beyond her reach. Mathilde’s happiness could have come from within, and she wouldn’t have wasted ten years struggling to pay off a debt caused by her pride and unrealistic desires for wealth.

Q3: What do Mathilde’s desires and ambitions reveal about her character, and how do they influence the events in the story?

A3: Mathilde’s desires and ambitions show her dissatisfaction with her modest life. She dreams of wealth, luxury, and social status, which makes her unhappy with her simple surroundings. Her longing for a better life leads her to borrow a beautiful necklace to fit in at a fancy event. 

This desire for luxury causes her to make poor decisions. When she loses the necklace, she and her husband work hard for ten years to replace it. Their financial struggle and sacrifice could have been avoided if Mathilde had accepted her circumstances. Her ambitions cause her suffering, teaching us that seeking more than we need can lead to trouble and unhappiness.

Q4: How does Mathilde’s reaction to losing the necklace contradict her husband’s response, and what does this tell us about their relationship?

A4: Mathilde reacts to losing the necklace with panic and anxiety, fearing the shame of telling her friend the truth. She immediately thinks of replacing the necklace without considering simpler solutions. Her husband, on the other hand, is calm and practical. He suggests searching for the necklace and even offers to take on the financial burden without hesitation. 

The contrast in their responses highlights their different personalities. Mathilde’s emotional and impulsive nature contrasts her husband’s more sensible and caring approach. Their relationship shows a lack of communication and mutual understanding. 

While Mathilde focuses on her image and pride, her husband is more concerned about solving problems together. This difference in priorities leads to a strained, difficult life for both.

Q5: In what ways does Mathilde’s life change after borrowing and losing the necklace? How does she cope with the consequences?

A5: Mathilde’s life changes dramatically after she borrows and loses the necklace. She goes from living a comfortable, middle-class life to struggling with poverty and hardship. She and her husband take out loans to replace the lost necklace and work tirelessly for ten years. 

Mathilde’s beauty fades as she becomes worn out and aged due to the hard work and stress. She learns to cope by becoming more humble and accepting of her new life. Although she initially resented her modest lifestyle, the experience teaches her resilience. 

Mathilde faces the consequences with determination but also grows regretful as she realises that her life could have been very different had she made better choices.

Q6: What is the role of social class and materialism in The Necklace? How does Mathilde’s obsession with appearance shape her decisions and actions?

A5: Social class and materialism play a central role in The Necklace. Mathilde is dissatisfied with her life because she deserves more wealth and luxury. She dreams of a higher social status and believes that outward appearances are important for gaining respect. 

Her obsession with looking rich leads her to borrow the necklace, believing it will help her fit in at the party. Mathilde’s desire to appear affluent shapes her decisions, pushing her to make reckless choices. Her materialistic values lead to years of hardship when she loses the necklace. 

The story shows how focusing too much on appearances can lead to poor decisions and unnecessary struggles.

Q7: How does the twist at the end of the story alter our understanding of the characters’ struggles and sacrifices?

A7: The twist at the end of The Necklace completely changes how we see the characters’ struggles. After ten years of hard work and sacrifice, Mathilde and her husband learn that the necklace is a fake, worth far less than they had paid to replace it. All their suffering was for nothing. 

The revelation shows that their sacrifices were based on a lie, which makes their struggle seem even more tragic. Mathilde’s years of poverty could have been avoided if she had known the truth. 

The twist teaches us about vanity’s dangers, honesty’s importance, and how pride can lead to unnecessary hardship. The characters’ sacrifices become more meaningful, highlighting the deep irony in their story.

Q8: What is the significance of the necklace being a fake? How does this irony affect the story’s message about materialism and pride?

A8: The fake necklace adds an important twist to the story. Mathilde believes it is a valuable piece of jewellery and borrows it to appear wealthy. She works hard for ten years to replace it, only to learn that the necklace is not real. 

The irony highlights how Mathilde’s obsession with material things and her desire for status led her to make poor decisions. The necklace’s true worth shows how easily outward appearances can mislead people. 

The story teaches that valuing material possessions over inner qualities and true happiness can lead to unnecessary suffering. It shows the dangers of pride and how seeking external approval can cause more harm than good.

Important Passages ‘The Necklace’: 

1. “She suffered incessantly, feeling herself born for all delicacies and luxuries. She suffered from the poverty of her apartment, the shabby walls and the worn chairs. All these things tortured and angered her.”

The passage highlights Matilda’s discontent with her modest life and desire for wealth and luxury, which drives the story’s conflict.

2. “Instead of being delighted, as her husband had hoped, she threw the invitation spitefully upon the table murmuring, ‘What do you suppose I want with that?'”

Illustrates Matilda’s frustration and inability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures due to her obsession with appearances.

3. “Suddenly she discovered, in a black satin box, a superb necklace of diamonds. Her hands trembled as she took it out. She placed it about her throat against her dress, and was ecstatic.”

This moment sets up the central conflict, as Matilda borrows the necklace that later transforms her life.

4. “She was the prettiest of all — elegant, gracious, smiling, and full of joy. All the men noticed her, asked her name, and wanted to be presented.”

It depicts the peak of Matilda’s happiness, emphasising the fleeting nature of materialistic pleasures.

5. “The husband worked evenings, putting the books of some merchants in order, and nights he often did copying at five sous a page. And this life lasted for ten years. At the end of ten years, they had restored all.”

The passage highlights Matilda and her husband’s sacrifices and struggles to repay their debt.

6. “‘You say that you bought a diamond necklace to replace mine?’

‘Yes. You did not perceive it then? They were just alike.’

And she smiled with proud and simple joy. Mme Forestier was touched and took both her hands as she replied, ‘Oh! My poor Matilda! Mine were false. They were not worth over five hundred francs!'”

The twist ending reveals the futility of Matilda’s sacrifices and the tragic irony of her misplaced priorities.