The Necklace Thematic Essay

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The author of The Necklace, Guy Maupassant, relates the many settings of his story to the protagonist, Mathilde Loisel, and her character development. The story begins in Mathilde’s apartment along the Rue des Martyrs, in Paris. Here, Mathilde lives with her husband, who works for the Ministry of Education, and the two live a comfortable life. Because Mathilde has a good sized apartment, a servant and many belongings, we could say she is a middle-class woman. However, instead of appreciating what she has, Mathilde spends her days dreaming of rich living and high society. Mathilde complains and wines, thinking she deserves to be superior and admired. Nothing was ever good enough for poor old Mathilde; not a loving husband, a beautiful city or even walks along the water. All that mattered to this spoiled narcissist was money. …show more content…

In the hopes to please his wife, Monsieur Loisel comes home with invitations to a ball at the ministry. In her grief, Mathilde immediately states that there is nothing worse than to look poverty-stricken among rich women. To attend the ball, she simply must purchase a new dress, which is exactly what she does. Then, Mathilde visits her friend and borrows a beautiful necklace. At the party, Mathilde is a huge success, the fairest of all the ladies. This setting represents the life of the wealthy; the life Mathilde lives in her wildest dreams. She remains an ingrate, but a rich one at

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