Review of the short story: "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant

"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is a timeless short story that explores the themes of materialism, social status, deception, and consequences. The story follows the character of Mathilde Loisel, a middle-class woman who dreams of a life of luxury and elegance. Despite her comfortable life, Mathilde is dissatisfied and constantly yearns for more. When her husband secures an invitation to a fancy party, Mathilde becomes obsessed with the idea of looking wealthy and borrows a diamond necklace from a wealthy friend to wear to the event.

Mathilde's obsession with material possessions and social status is a central theme in "The Necklace." She longs for a life of luxury and elegance, but her middle-class background and limited resources make this impossible. Despite this, Mathilde is not content to live within her means, and instead becomes fixated on the idea of looking wealthy and glamorous. This obsession ultimately leads to her downfall, as the loss of the diamond necklace sets in motion a chain of events that devastates her life.

Deception is another key theme in "The Necklace." Mathilde is deceived by her own desires and aspirations, which lead her to make poor decisions and engage in dishonest behavior. Her decision to borrow the diamond necklace from her friend without revealing that it is not hers is a clear example of this. The deception is ultimately revealed when Mathilde loses the necklace, and she and her husband must spend years working to repay the debt incurred to replace it.

The consequences of one's choices is a recurring theme throughout "The Necklace." Mathilde's poor decisions and obsession with material possessions have severe consequences for herself and her husband. They are forced to live in poverty for years as they work to repay the debt incurred by the loss of the necklace. Mathilde's desire for wealth and status ultimately leads to her downfall, as she realizes too late that the things she thought would bring her happiness and fulfillment have instead caused her great suffering.

Maupassant's writing is concise and effective, creating a vivid picture of Mathilde's world and inner thoughts. The story is narrated in a detached, objective tone that underscores the tragedy of Mathilde's situation. Maupassant's skillful use of imagery and symbolism adds depth to the story, with the diamond necklace serving as a powerful symbol of the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of wealth and status.

The twist ending of the story is particularly poignant, as Mathilde discovers that the necklace was not even real, and her entire ordeal was for nothing. This revelation underscores the theme that the pursuit of material possessions can lead to great tragedy, and that people should be careful what they wish for.

In conclusion, "The Necklace" is a powerful and timeless short story that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of materialism, social status, deception, and consequences are still relevant in modern society, making it a valuable piece of literature. Maupassant's writing is masterful, creating a vivid and poignant portrait of a woman whose desires and aspirations lead to her downfall. "The Necklace" is a classic tale that should be read and appreciated by anyone who wishes to understand the complexities of human nature and the dangers of obsession and greed.