The Necklace Irony

735 Words3 Pages
In 19th century France, the status of a typical French woman was dictated by her husband; her only worth came from beauty, grace, and charm. Guy de Maupassant writes a short story about a woman convinced, as if by a tragic accident, that she has the misfortune of being born into a middle class life. Like the cut-glass gems in the necklace for which the tale "The Necklace" is named after, Madame Loisel’s life is a fraud. She constantly grieves in shame of her status and is only satiated when dreaming of elegance and glamour. Throughout the story, the use of irony, symbolism and characterization develop the theme stating that superficial luxuries are not always what they seem, and the dogged pursuit of these can leave you empty in the end.…show more content…
One example is when Madame Forestier, overcome with surprise, reveals to Mathilde: “mine [the necklace] was only a paste.” There is irony in the fact that the Loisels spent ten years paying off a “frightful debt” for what was actually a worthless necklace. In addition, it is ironic that Mathilde’s beauty, which had been her only valued asset, withers away as a result of her labor to pay the debt. The narrator states, “Madame Losiel appeared an old woman, now. She became heavy, rough, harsh, like one of the poor.” She had borrowed the necklace to appear more beautiful and wealthy, only to lose her beauty and what little wealth she had completely. The most bitter irony of “The Necklace” is that the laborious life that Mathilde leads after losing the necklace makes her old life, in comparison, seem luxurious. She pays greatly, with her money and looks, for something that had no value to begin with. Maupassant’s use of irony expresses how Mathilde’s excessive greed causes her…show more content…
Throughout “The Necklace,” there are many examples of Mathilde coveting other’s possessions. While Monsieur Loisel happily looks forward to having hot soup for dinner, Mathilde is wishing that her home and dining table was as lavish as those of the wealthy. When Monsieur Loisel obtains an invitation for the minister’s party, she desires a new dress and jewelry so that she will as beautiful and wealthy as the other woman who will be in attendance. Also, Mathilde would no longer visit Madame Forestier because “she would feel so distressed on returning home. And she would weep for days on end from vexation, regret, despair, and anguish.” She is extremely jealous of her friend and idealizes the upper class; considering them to be happy and perfect. She longs to be just like them, and believes adamantly that being middle class is shameful: "She suffered endlessly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury". The author uses her actions and thoughts to expand on the theme and creates a cohesive story. Furthermore, her endless coveting ultimately leads to her downfall and only provides moments of fleeting
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