CHARACTERS
Who is Mathilde Loisel?
The protagonist of the story who desires a wealthy lifestyle.
What is a ball?
Mathilde borrows a necklace to attend one of these events.
What are consequences and desire?
The story explores the consequences of dishonesty and desire forwealth.
What is Paris?
The city where 'The Necklace' is set.
This object symbolizes wealth and status.
THE NECKLACE
Who is Monsieur Loisel?
Mathilde's supportive husband who works in the Ministry ofEducation.
What is the necklace?
The object Mathilde loses that changes her life dramatically.
What is the illusion vs. reality?
A central theme of the story is this relationship between appearanceand reality.
What is the late 19th century?
The era in which the story takes place, reflecting societal norms ofthe time.
The necklace also represents this human flaw leading to Mathilde'sdownfall.
VANITY
Who is Madame Forestier?
The friend from whom Mathilde borrows the necklace.
What is a loan?
Mathilde and her husband buy a replacement necklace using moneyfrom this kind of source.
What is social class tension?
This theme highlights the societal pressure to conform to a certainclass.
What is the ball at the Ministry of Education?
Mathilde's modest lifestyle is in contrast to the wealth of thislocation.
Mathilde's journey after losing the necklace symbolizes this kind of transformation.
From poverty to humility.
Who is Guy de Maupassant?
The author of 'The Necklace.'
What is while leaving the ball?
The event at which Mathilde realizes her necklace is missing.
What is irony?
The outcome of Mathilde's decision reflects this theme ofunexpected consequences.
What is the dining room?
The specific room in the Loisels' apartment where they livemodestly.
What is the cost of dishonesty?
The truth will always prevail.
Who is Madame Forestier?
This character represents the bourgeois class Mathilde aspires to.
What is a chance encounter?
Mathilde learns the truth about the necklace during this type ofmeeting.
What is situational irony?
The story ends with an unexpected twist, a hallmark of this literary device.
What is a poor, run-down neighborhood?
The part of the city where Mathilde and her husband live afterrepaying their debts.
The story teaches this lesson about the dangers of valuing material possessions over relationships.
Materialism