This was the second time that I have read “The Necklace,” but I didn’t remember much of the story from the first time I read it 4 years ago.
“The Necklace” is filled with detailed descriptions that clarify the differences between the world in which Mme. Loisel lives and the world she dreams about. One of my favorite contrasts in this story was when the couple were leaving the party and Mme. Loisel’s husband “threw over her shoulders the wraps which he had brought, modest wraps of common life, whose poverty contrasted with the elegance of the ball dress. She felt this, and wanted to escape so as not to be remarked by the other women, who were enveloping themselves in costly furs.” This one passage was rich with descriptions and imagery signifying how vast Mme. Loisel’s life is from the other women’s at the party. It is evident just how much she wishes she could join them and never have to return to her clerk husband and lowly life.
Another contrast that was revealed later in the story was Loisel’s understanding of the important things in life. He understood what it would take to make his wife happy and when she carelessly lost the necklace, he took every means to fix the problem. He did everything to get enough money to buy a replacement necklace. His loyalty to his wife shows that he understands there are more things in life than just money and riches, I believe he cares for his wife and feels sorry that she is so miserable with the life she was given.
The important thing is that Mme. Loisel finally learned her lesson. She realized that because one pretty necklace, which turned out to be fake, she sacrificed her entire life for one that was even poorer and had to really work and live as a commoner. The point is that there is more to life than luxuries and sometimes you just have to make the most of what you have and enjoy the small things in life instead of wishing for something more. If you spend your whole life wanting more, you will eventually lose the few good things that you already have. Mme. Loisel learned that lesson the hard way.
