“The Necklace”

“The Necklace”
Guy de Maupassant
 In one paragraph, respond to
the following. Proofread your
paper.
Tell about a time in your life when you were
jealous of someone else because of
something they had.
What were you jealous over?
Why were you jealous over this?
 What was your response/solution to this
jealousy?
 In one paragraph, respond to the
following. Proofread your paper.
“Honesty is the best policy” is a common
saying. Do you agree or disagree with it?
Explain your answer. Tell about a time
when you obeyed/disobeyed this saying.
 Who was involved?
 What was the issue?
 What were the consequences?
 Would you change your decision? Why or
why not?
Guy de Maupassant
• (1850-1893)
• French author
famous for his
short stories
• Prolific writer who
wrote over 300
short stories
• Died in a sanitarium
 Vocabulary
 Create your own definitions/synonyms for the
vocabulary terms on page 159.
• Incessantly
• Disconsolate
• Vexation
• Pauper
• Adulation
• Aghast
• Privations
• Exorbitant
Setting

• Apartment
in Paris,
France
• In 1880’s
• The Necklace • Madame Mathilde and
– Overview 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.
Point of View
Symbolism
• The diamond
necklace stands
for everything
Madame Loisel
has ever wanted
—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.
Characterization
• Monsieur
Loisel
• Optimistic
• Happy with his
life
• Practical
• Manipulated by
his wife
Irony
• The Loisels live on the “street
of martyrs” and end up making a
ten-year-long sacrifice. (Verbal
Irony)
• Madame Loisel borrows a
necklace that makes her feel
beautiful and wealthy, and it
turns out to be fake.
(Situational Irony)
• Also….i love mrs newbold
• If Madame Forestier had
opened the case, she
would have seen a much
more valuable necklace
than the one she originally
loaned Madame Loisel.
(Situational Irony)
Tone
Conflict
• Internal
– Madame Loisel’s
struggle with her
status in society.
Theme
• True value is not always
apparent.
• Never look for happiness
in material things.
• Literary Focus
– Themes • Madame Loisel is pretty and
• Appearance vs. Reality charming, but she is also
unhappy with her lot in life and
believes that she deserves
more.

• Rich vs. Poor • Madame Loisel’s belief that

beautiful things and luxury are
essential to her happiness is
the untruth that scars her
physical beauty.

• Generosity vs. Greed

• Madame Loisel’s greed stands
in marked contrast to the
generosity of her husband and
Madame Forestier.
 “The Necklace” Quiz
1. What does Mathilde wish about herself?
2. What was her excuse for not being able
to go to the party?
3. Identify Mme. Forestier (what does she
do in the story)?
4. Why did Mathilde have to fire her maid?
5. What is the surprise ending?