‘She was one of those pretty, young ladies, born as if through an error of destiny
into a family of clerks’. What impression do you form about the pretty, young lady
in the context of ‘The Necklace’?
Answers
Answer:
The Necklace’ is one of the well-known stories of Maupassant. The story centres round Matilda Loisel, who is a beautiful woman. She suffers greatly because of her desire to appear rich and fashionable. She is married to a clerk and leads an ordinary life. But she wants to be rich and famous. Her husband gets an invitation to attend a dance party given by the Minister of Publ lc Instruction.
Matilda borrows a diamond necklace from her rich friend Madame Forestier to wear it at the party. She looks charming and everybody praises her. But when she returns home, she finds that she has lost the necklace. She and her husband borrow a big amount of money to replace the necklace. Both of the world hard for ten years to pay off their debt. Their life becomes miserable. One day, after the debt, is paid off. Matilda comes across Madame Forestier. Matilda is shocked to learn from her that the necklace was made of artificial diamonds and its price was not more than 500 francs.
`The Necklace’ is a mild satire but with a strong message. It is ridiculous for people of ordinary means to copy the rich. One should live within one’s means. Otherwise, he or she invites unnecessary problems, anxieties and confusion in his or her life.