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Nadia L Brady

ENG 300

Prof. Adam Meehan

28 Jan. 2024

3-3 Final Project I

Milestone II: Scholarly Resources and Historical Context

"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is a literary work that can be interpreted within

the historical context of Marxist and Feminist literary theory. Understanding the social bases of

consciousness and ideology, as shared by feminists and Marxists, informs their approaches and

concerns in literary criticism.

The short story is set in the late 19th century and revolves around the character Mathilde,

a woman who daydreams about a more glamorous life despite her modest means. When her

husband gets invited to a party, Mathilde frets about needing more suitable attire or jewelry. At

her husband’s suggestion, she borrows a diamond necklace from her well-off friend and loses it,

causing her and her husband to go into debt. After ten years of hard work and sacrifices to repay

the debt of replacing the diamond necklace, it is revealed that the diamond was a fake, and they

had been working themselves to death for nothing. The story highlights themes of social class,

materialism, and the consequences of striving for a life beyond one's means. (de Maupassant).

Feminist and Marxist Criticism: An Argument for Alliances

According to Gayle Greene's article "Feminist and Marxist Criticism: An Argument for

Alliances," feminists and Marxists view the creation of womanhood as a social product rather

than a natural. This concept aligns with the central Marxist notion that consciousness is a social

product. By recognizing the social foundations of consciousness and ideology, feminist and
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Marxist theorists can analyze and critique the cultural and societal aspects that shape women's

lives. Their ideologies encompass art and judgments of art, which have implications for literary

criticism. (Greene).

Socialist/Marxist Feminism

Wendy Lee's article "Socialist/Marxist Feminism" emphasizes the resurgence of Marxist

ideas during the civil rights and feminist movements of the 1960s. It was during this time that

feminist and antiracist theories, along with analyses of structural inequality, gained prominence.

Socialist feminists, collaborating with other activists and theorists, sought to incorporate women

into Marxist class analysis categories. However, they also recognized that gender, race/ethnicity,

and sexual identity are significant categories of oppression in themselves.

The historical context of Marxist feminist analysis extends beyond class struggle to

encompass various intersections of oppression. The application of socialist feminist analyses to

issues such as environmental degradation, including human-caused climate change, showcases

the relevance and applicability of Marxist ideas to contemporary society. (Lee).

Guy de Maupassant

A.H. Wallace's book, Guy de Maupassant, explores de Maupassant's attitudes toward

women and provides additional context for understanding the story "The Necklace." De

Maupassant's admiration for women stemmed from personal contact and observation rather than

a fearful or superstitious view commonly associated with the femme fatale archetype. He

questioned the myth of male superiority and viewed marriage as a form of servitude that women

recognized and resisted, while men deluded themselves into believing they were free.

De Maupassant's works often convey sympathy for married women's plights and express

admiration for women's courage and nobility. Wallace mentions that "Boule de Suif" exemplifies
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this praise of women's behavior, particularly in times of war and defeat. Through his writings, de

Maupassant showcases a philogynist attitude, displaying a profound appreciation for the female

gender. (Wallace).

By examining the historical context of both "The Necklace" and the theories of Marxist

and Feminist literary analysis, we gain deeper insights into the social, cultural, and ideological

influences that shape the text. This multidimensional approach highlights the interconnectedness

of gender, class, and societal structures, enriching our understanding of the themes conveyed by

Guy de Maupassant.
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Works Cited

Arinder, Jo Ann. "Feminist Theory." Theoretical Models for Teaching and Research,

Pressbooks, opentext.wsu.edu/theoreticalmodelsforteaching

andresearch/chapter/feminist-theory/. Accessed 20 Jan. 2024.

Bertens, Hans. Literary Theory: The Basics, 3rd Edition. Routledge, 2017-07-14. VitalBook file

De Maupassant, Guy. "The Necklace." Short Stories & Classic Literature for Readers &

Teachers, AmericanLiterature.com, Accessed 20 Jan. 2024..

Greene, Gayle. “Feminist and Marxist Criticism: An Argument for Alliances.” Women’s Studies,

vol. 9, no. 1, 1981, https://doi.org/10.1080/00497878.1981.9978553.

Lee, Wendy Lynne. “Socialist/Marxist Feminism.” Literary and Critical Theory, 15 Jan. 2020,

https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780190221911-0088.

"Literary Theory," by Vince Brewton, The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ISSN 2161-

0002, https://iep.utm.edu/, 20, Jan. 2024.

Wallace, A. H. Guy de Maupassant, Twayne Publishers, 1973. Twayne's World Authors Series

265. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2545800013/GVRL?

u=nhc_main&sid= bookmark -GVRL&xid=38419f21. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.