Maupassant and Thurber's Use of Irony and Conflict to Explore and View Marital Relationships

During the early 1900s there was a slow and powerful movement from negative emphasis in the critical examination of American life and modern society as a whole to positive revaluation of materials and affirmation. A few writers attained positive reviews early in this period and in their careers. A large number receive negative reviews. However, among the writers of eminence and influence, many of those individual’s development corresponded to the general pattern. The character of the ultimate affirmation varied widely. The findings included positive values in democracy, in materialism, in the common man in religion, in man’s relation to the earth and in human life as a whole. Guy de Maupassant and James Thurber used the techniques of irony and conflict to explore and view marital relationships.

“Guy de Maupassant’s, “The Necklace”, is about a young couple who discovers the upper society appears to sparkles like a real diamond necklace, but in reality it is not always true. A decision that seems to protect their integrity turns out to tarnish it – like a fake necklace. However, through ironic insights we witness drama, character revelations and experience surprise” (Clugston, 2010) .The Necklace is told from a 3rd person point of view with limited omniscience. The title suggests that the plot will center on a necklace. So, naturally we, the audience or reader wants to know what the significance of the necklace is. After reading the story I believe that Maupassant used the necklace to symbolize the upper society or wealth. Another symbol that the necklace represents is appearance. In the story Mme. Loisel was a beautiful young woman that had admirers at the reception. She made all the attendees believe she was from...

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...he protagonist struggle with self esteem. In The Necklace, the protagonist is struggling with her social status, which is that, she middle class and not upper class. But at the end of the story the protagonist realizes social status is only for show and not real life. In The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the protagonist is struggling with self esteem, because of masculine issues. He wants to be that dominant male but is henpecked to the point that he cannot do simple errands without being nagged by his wife. Guy de Maupassant and James Thurber used the techniques of irony and conflict to explore and view marital relationships.

Works Cited

(n.d.). Retrieved from http:// www.shvoong.com.

Clugston, R. (2010). Journey into Literature. San Diego : Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

iradossier.hutton. (2003, august 5). Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/media.