The Necklace
What is the name of the main female character?
Madame Loisel (or Mathilde Loisel)
Who delivers the news to Mrs. Mallard about the death of her husband?
Who is the narrator of the story?
A young girl (the story is autobiographical, written from Munro’s perspective)
Night: What deeper theme does the story explore through the narrator’s fear and confession?
It explores the fragility of mental health, the fear of losing control, and the importance of compassionate understanding.
What is the name of the friend of Madame Loisel?
Madame Forestier
What type of medical condition does Mrs. Mallard have?
A heart condition.
What is the narrator afraid she might do during the night?
Harm or kill her younger sister
Story of an Hour: What device is used in the quote "a monstrous joy" ?
Oxymoron
Give an example of irony from the text.
The necklace being a fake at the end.
What is Mrs. Mallard’s reaction once she is alone in her room?
She begins to feel a sense of freedom and relief.
What does the narrator do when she feels overwhelmed by her thoughts?
She walks around at night to clear her head.
She is jealous of her friend and she has a shallow relationship with her (she just uses her).
What is the primary theme of The Necklace?
Appearance vs. Reality
Explain the irony in the final sentence of the story.
Doctors say she died of “joy that kills,” but the reader knows it was likely the shock and loss of her newfound freedom.
What is her father's reaction when she tells him about her thoughts?
He responds calmly, showing understanding and support.
Night: Why does the author suffer from insomnia?
She feels troubled after her surgery, and the lack of acknowledgement from her family troubles her (she feels lonely and isolated).
Identify one language or structural device Maupassant uses to present Madame Loisel’s dissatisfaction.
A hyperbole to exaggerate her feelings of misery and envy.
What is the symbolism behind the open window in the story?
The open window signifies a newfound freedom and joy.
How does Munro use language to reflect the narrator’s anxiety?
She uses similes and vivid imagery, such as “a night as clear and stiff as glass,” to create a cold, tense atmosphere.
How does Maupassant use Madame Loisel’s transformation over the ten years to critique social class and ambition?
To highlight the destructiveness of social ambition and the illusion of upward mobility. Her desire to appear wealthy leads to real poverty, showing that obsession with class and status can result in personal ruin.