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.
This was my first time reading the story, but I loved how you noticed all the imagery that was described. I also agree that her husband was a good guy and that all he wanted was for his wife to be happy. She on the other hand, while she did change at the end, I still feel like she didn't comprehend the entire life lesson learned from the whole experience. I feel that by the end the only thing she learned was to be upfront and honest instead of lying and in the end messing up her own life.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Christy! I enjoyed reading how you noticed literary components in the story like the imagery. Guy de Maupassant did a great job emphasizing the contrasts in Madame Loisel's life. I agree that we should try to make the most of what we have in life instead of constantly wishing for more. If Madame Loisel had done that, she probably would not have suffered so much later in her life.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Mathilde never fully learned her lesson, but to an extent she had to learn something in ten years of poverty. And Christy, I also noticed how her husband seemed way more in tune to what matters in life than Mathilde. It suprises me that a man as good as him, and so intent on giving the wife he loves what she wants, does not get frustrated with Mme. Loisel's frivolous behavior and desires. She is extremely shallow, and instead of ditching her for another woman who would show affection for him, Loisel continues to strive to right the wrongs and provide for Mathilde's needs. I sincerely hope that what would happen after her friend realized that the necklace she recieved back was not paste but diamonds, would return it to the Loisels in order for their life to improve.
ReplyDeleteThe irony in this story was insane. Mathilde was so impressed with high status and riches yet she couldnt even tell a difference from a real necklace and a fake one. I think the real crazy thing is that she had all these desires in the beginning yet did nothing about it. However once she was afraid of becoming outcast by her friend she actually worked hard for something.
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