The Necklace

 

The Necklace is an 1884 short story by French writer Guy de Maupassant. The story was first published on the 17 February 1884 in the French newspaper Le Gaulois and it is famous for its twist ending that surprises the readers.

The main character, Mathilde Loisel, doesn’t like the fact that she was born into a lower middle class family and has always imagined herself in a high state of aristocracy. She is married to a clerk who works at the Ministry of Education so he can only afford to provide her with a modest lifestyle. Although her husband seems to be happy with their life, Mathilde always dreams of expensive clothes and jewellery. These are the only things that she lives for.

One night her husband returns home with an invitation to the Ministry of Education party. Mathilde refuses to go as she doesn’t have anything to wear and she doesn’t want to be embarrassed. Her husband gets upset and he gives Mathilde 400 francs that he has saved. She goes out and buys herself a dress but she is still unhappy as she doesn’t have any jewels to wear with it. Her husband suggests that she can borrow something from her friend, Madame Frostier who is a wealthy woman. Mathilde accepts this and goes to Madame Frostier’s house. She chooses a huge diamond necklace. At the party everyone recognizes Mathilde as she looks beautiful and she gets so happy to be the centre of attention.

After the party when they get home, Mathilde realizes that the diamond necklace is not around her neck. Her husband goes outside to look for the necklace but he comes home saying that he couldn’t find it. As she cannot give the necklace back to Madame Frostier on time, Mathilde tells her that she has broken the clasp of the necklace and is getting it mended. They continue to look for the necklace but can’t find it anywhere. Then they decide to replace the necklace but buying a new one costs them 40,000 francs that they can’t afford. They have to sell everything they own to replace the necklace. Mathilde takes the new one to Madame Frostier.

After this event, Loisels spend ten years in poverty. Mathilde’s husband has to work in three jobs and Mathilde has to do lots of heavy housework. Ten years later, Mathilde comes across Madame Frostier. Frostier doesn’t recognize her at first as she looks very different. Mathilde tells her the real story and Madame Frostier is shocked. She says the necklace that she lent to Mathilde was just a fake one and was worth nothing more than 500 francs.