The Necklace Guy de Maupassant Guy de Maupassant

The Necklace Guy de Maupassant

Guy de Maupassant (1850 -1893) • Maupassant grew up with wealthy parents in North-West France • French author famous for his short stories • Prolific writer who wrote over 300 short stories • He died from an incurable disease that caused him to have hallucination and made him insane as the infection spread to his brain. He died in an asylum in Paris.

Elements of the Story’s Plot • Characters : Madame Mathilde Loisel, Madame Jeanne Forestier, Cabinet Officials, Madame Loisel’s Husband, and the Jeweler. • Setting : Set in Paris, France, in the late 1800’s.

Symbolism • The diamond necklace stands for everything Madame Loisel wants - Beauty and wealth

Characterization Madame Loisel • Round and dynamic • Has a desire to be envied • Jealous • Never satisfied • Longs for a wealthy life style, which contrasts with her real life

Conflict Internal • Madame Loisel’s struggle with her status in society.

Characterization Monsieur Loisel • Optimistic • Happy with his life • Practical • Manipulated by his wife

Literary Element • In a story with third- person omniscient, the narrator is not a character in the story but someone who stands outside the story and comments on the action. A third- person omniscient narrator knows about everything that is going on in the story that the characters themselves could not reveal. The point of view helps shape the story.

Dig Deeper • Guy de Maupassant wrote about middle-class strivers, peasants, soldiers, and ordinary people caught in disastrous situations. He was a warmhearted man and many of his stories reflected that. Maupassant grew up among peasants and sailors which helped his understanding in writing about Mathilde. Also, he lived during the 1800’s in France which was the setting of this story. The reader can relate with the betrayal and secretiveness of Madame Forestier.

Theme • The theme of the Necklace is about honesty and telling the truth. • Never look for happiness in material things • Cherish the things that you do have.