Author Guy De Maupassant Published 1884 Maupassant was

• Author • Guy De Maupassant • Published 1884 • Maupassant was extremely successful during his lifetime and “The Necklace” was an instant success Don’t mess with the ‘Stache

• The Necklace – Overview • Madame Mathilde and her husband are not well off financially • She has always dreamed of being rich.

• Overview, Con’t: • When the couple is invited to a ball, Madame Loisel must find jewelry and fine clothing so she can attend the event. • The trouble begins when her jewelry is lost.

• Literary Focus – Themes • • Appearance vs. Reality • Rich vs. Poor Madame Loisel is pretty and charming, but she is also unhappy with her lot in life and believes that she deserves more. • Madame Loisel’s belief that beautiful things and luxury are essential to her happiness is the untruth that scars her physical beauty. • Madame Loisel’s greed stands in marked contrast to the generosity of her husband Madame Forestier. • Generosity vs. Greed

• Literary Focus – Point of View – Symbolism • “The Necklace” is told by an omniscient thirdperson narrator. The narrator does have access to the characters‘ thoughts. • The necklace is the central symbol of the story. • The necklace comes to represents Madame Loisel's greed and also her artificiality.

• Literary Focus, Con’t: – Irony • In a society that so highly values appearance, it is ironic that the beautiful Madame Loisel is excluded from society because of her class standing. • The greatest irony of all is that the necklace she slaved over for 10 years to pay back was a fake!

• Characters – Madame Mathilde Loisel • Beautiful woman on the outside but has a superficial personality • Believes that she is meant for better things than the middle-class • Infatuated with superficial things: – a ball gown – better furniture – fancy jewelry

• Characters – Monsieur Loisel • Content with social situation • Attentive to his wife's desires • Acts in stark contrast to his wife: generous, hard working, selfless