The Necklace

The tone of de Maupassant’s story is objective and neutral, expressing his literary realism. Realism seeks an almost scientific perspective on human nature, and de Maupassant achieves this aim by not allowing the narrator any judgment about the characters in the story. Instead, the narrator described the Loisels and Madame Forestier in detail without any subjective judgment passed on them. The mood of the story is likewise neutral and seemingly natural, although it shifts slightly once the Loisels take on their enormous debts. The mood at the beginning of the story is somber despite the detailed description of Mathilde’s daydreams. De Maupassant provides vivid images of sitting rooms and dinner parties, yet the feelings these daydreams give Mathilde are sadness, anger, resentment, and humiliation. These emotions contrast with the beauty and luxury that de Maupassant describes, making the tone rather ironic. By the end of the story, the imagery shifts, describing poverty instead of wealth. Instead of lavish furnishings and décor, de Maupassant describes “greasy casseroles and the bottoms of saucepans” (Paragraph 101). While the imagery of the story is now far less beautiful, the mood shifts to one of pride and happiness as Mathilde learns the value of work and acceptance of her position in life.

The story’s setting plays an important role in the development of its themes and plot. De Maupassant’s choice of Paris over a country village helps to provide a more extreme contrast between wealth and poverty. In a big city, wealth is not only expected but also respected and sought after by those who can only experience it from a distance. Had Mathilde lived in the country, her drive for wealth and luxury would likely have been diminished, as achieving such a lifestyle in that setting is unlikely and unrealistic. In Paris, however, one of the most fashionable and glamorous cities in the world, Mathilde might well resent her working-class life when she sees wealth up close through her friendship with Madame Forestier. Mathilde’s resentment of her class drives her into wanting a wealthier lifestyle and ultimately leads her into poverty instead of the sitting rooms of the rich.

Like many short stories, “The Necklace” gives only the briefest exposition, lacking some of the details one might want or expect. Mathilde’s character is quickly established, as is her passion for wealth and respect. Loisel is also introduced as a foil to Mathilde; in contrast to her drive for wealth and status, Loisel is content where he is. The couple live in a shabby apartment in Paris, where Loisel works as a clerk. Little else is revealed about the characters and setting. The inciting incident and the start of the central conflict in the story is Loisel’s announcement of the invitation to the minister of education’s ball. Mathilde’s desire to be part of the wealthy elite starts to consume her, causing her to be “depressed, disturbed, worried” (Paragraph 30). From this point, the story is all rising action until the final paragraph. Mathilde loses the necklace and plunges herself into debt and poverty, which she and Loisel must fight for 10 years to overcome. In the end, they succeed only to discover the necklace was fake, turning their victory into a kind of tragedy. The lack of foreshadowing in the story allows the reader to be fully immersed in, and shocked by, the plot twist at the conclusion. The characters are also deprived of any resolution to their situation, as the story abruptly ends with Madame Forestier’s revelation.