Short Story: The Necklace Introduction

short Storythe Necklaceintroduct

In the short story, Guy de Maupassant uses various techniques in an attempt to put through his points. Various quotes have been used so as to stress the main points and to compare the situations that the characters were going through with other things in real life. This fact means that the author applied several literature devices in ‘driving the point home’. Some of the major devices used include imagery, metaphors and personification. The quotes and the literature devices have been used perfectly to bring out the image of the story in the readers’ minds.

The quote, “She was one of those pretty and charming girls, born by a blunder of destiny in a family of employees. She had no dowry, no expectations, no means of being known, understood, loved, married by a man rich and distinguished” (Maupassant n.p). Here, the author explains the beauty of Mathilde, which contrasted her financial well-being. Guy de Maupassant uses imagery to stress on the beauty of Mathilde and the poor conditions she was living in. Mostly, beautiful ladies are usually associated with rich backgrounds.

It is usually not expected for beautiful girls to come from poor backgrounds. Mathilde was definitely fantasizing about these according to the quote “She let her mind dwell on the quiet vestibules, hung with Oriental tapestries, lighted by tall lamps of bronze, and on the two tall footmen in knee breeches who dozed in the large armchairs, made drowsy by the heat of the furnace” (Maupassant n.p). Imagery is used to show how the imaginations of Mathilde were good. House of rich people are usually characterized with expensive decorations and fancy furnishing. Guy de Maupassant shows how Mathilde was fantasizing of the lives her fellow women in the Ball were living.

Guy de Maupassant used hyperboles in showing that the friendship between Mathilde and her friend was long. Good friendships between individuals are characterized by many years of being in the friendship. That point can be proved by the quote “She had a rich friend, a comrade of her convent days” (Maupassant n.p). Mathilde and her friend had been friends for so long that she could count on her if she was in trouble and in need of help. Guy de Maupassant explains how Mathilde thought critically of a way she could ask for a necklace from the clerk without creating suspicion that she was poor.

Many individuals fear or feel shy to quote low prices in high profile shops because they do not want the clerks to realize they are not of the social class. The quote “She reflected a few seconds, going over her calculations, and thinking also of the sum which she might ask without meeting an immediate refusal and a frightened exclamation from the frugal clerk” explains Mathilde’s case (Maupassant n.p). In the story, she wanted the clerk to think that she was just another ordinary buyer looking for jewelry. Maupassant uses a metaphor to show the desperate nature of Mathilde. In many situations, people attending parties tend to dress expensively while donning expensive jewelries.

The quote “It annoys me not to have a jewel, not a single stone, to put on. I shall look wretched. I would almost rather not go to this party” shows that Mathilde was desperate to wear expensive jewelry for the party (Maupassant n.p). She did not have any piece of jewelry to put on that she had to call them stones. The quote “her heart began to beat with boundless desire” clearly shows the joy that engulfed Mathilde on seeing the necklace (Maupassant n.p).

Maupassant uses imagery to show the happiness that Mathilde had when she finally saw the diamond necklace that impressed her. Certain jewelries, especially diamond jewelries, are so expensive and classy that most people get impressed by them. Mathilde knew that she had finally found the perfect neck-turning necklace that would put her into the same position as the other rich women in the event. The quote “Mme. Loisel learned the horrible life of the needy. She made the best of it, moreover, frankly, heroically” shows how much trouble Mathilde had to go through so as to raise the cash (Maupassant n.p). Maupassant uses metaphors to show how Mathilde went through hard jobs and struggles in order to repay the debts that had engulfed them. In debt repayment, people often work extra hard so as to raise the money owed. Many people happen to work double jobs, day and night so as to raise the money. She had to do household chores for many people so that she would be able to earn enough to repay the debts.

Guy de Maupassant has used hyperboles to show the perceived difference in class between Mathilde and Mme. Forestier that she was surprised to be addressed by a low class person in her first name. In many situations, people in the low class tend to address the high class individuals in an official manner. The surprise in Mme. Forestier is shown by the quote “The other did not recognize her, astonished to be hailed thus familiarly by this woman of the people” (Maupassant n.p).

Mathilde’s physical appearance had worsened over the ten years such that she looked very poor and different than she was before. Guy de Maupassant has made the use of onomatopoeia to show the surprise of Mme. Forestier when she met Mathilde. Many people usually exclaim when they are surprised. The use of various words which also depict sounds is common. The surprise in Mme. Forestier is shown by the use of ‘Oh’ in the quote “Oh, my poor Mathilde. But mine were false…” (Maupassant n.p). She was surprised at how far Mathilde had gone to repay her necklace despite being just an imitation. Simile is used to show the comparisons made by Mathilde on how a beautiful woman should look.

Women are mostly valued in accordance to their beauty. Their wealth or financial statuses do not matter in evaluation of women. This can be shown by the quote “a pretty, charming poor woman can be the equal of the loftiest dame” (Maupassant n.p). In the story, Guy de Maupassant thinks that the beauty of women lies on their physical appearance and not their finances, like in the case of Mathilde. Conclusion Guy de Maupassant has used various literature techniques in creating the right image of the story in the readers’ minds.

The readers are able to have a clear vision of the activities in the story and follow the plot of the story to the end. The use of such techniques, such as similes and imagery, in the quotes, has also made the story interesting to the readers. The theme of the story relates to the society today in that many people enter into heavy debts just because of trying to fit in a certain social class. This ends up having negative long term effects on them, either financially or socially.

References

• Maupassant, Guy de. The Necklace. Mankato: Creative Education, 1992. Print.

Paper For Above instruction

The short story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant provides a compelling exploration of vanity, social class, and the consequences of materialism through masterful literary techniques. Maupassant employs vivid imagery, metaphors, hyperbole, similes, and personification to develop the story's themes, shape the characters’ perceptions, and evoke emotional responses from readers. These devices work together to create a rich, vivid narrative that leaves a lasting impression on its audience.

One of the primary techniques Maupassant utilizes is imagery, which vividly depicts the contrasting worlds of the characters. For instance, he describes Mathilde as “one of those pretty and charming girls, born by a blunder of destiny in a family of employees,” highlighting her beauty despite her modest means. The imagery not only underscores her physical attractiveness but also accentuates her dissatisfaction with her modest life, fueling her desire for wealth and luxury. Additionally, Maupassant describes her fantasized visions of opulence: “She let her mind dwell on the quiet vestibules, hung with Oriental tapestries, lighted by tall lamps of bronze,” immersing the reader in her longing for a luxurious life. Such descriptions help the reader visualize the social disparity and Mathilde’s internal conflict.

Furthermore, metaphors deepen the narrative’s emotional impact. Maupassant describes Mathilde’s struggles to repay her debts as “she learned the horrible life of the needy,” using a metaphor to symbolize her suffering and the arduous journey she faced. This metaphor encapsulates her transformation from a woman of beauty and wealth in her imagination to a worker in distress, highlighting the tragic consequences of her material obsession. It also underscores the societal pressure to maintain appearances, illustrating how social status is often linked to external possessions rather than intrinsic worth.

Hyperbole is another prominent device used to emphasize character relationships and social disparities. Maupassant exaggerates the long friendship between Mathilde and her affluent friend: “She had a rich friend, a comrade of her convent days,” implying a bond that spans many years. The hyperbole exaggerates the closeness and trust in their relationship, which becomes significant later in the story when Mathilde borrows the necklace. Maupassant’s exaggeration underscores the supposed stability and trustworthiness of their relationship, only to reveal later how superficial and fleeting appearances can be.

Similarly, Maupassant employs hyperbole to accentuate Mathilde’s anxiety about her appearance and her desire to impress at the ball: “It annoys me not to have a jewel, not a single stone,” she laments, “I shall look wretched.” Her obsession with jewelry and her feeling of wretchedness underscore her superficial values rooted in materialism. The exaggerated desire for jewelry highlights the central theme: that superficial beauty and possessions are mistaken for true worth.

Similes are skillfully used to compare Mathilde’s expectations and realities. When she observes the necklace, her heart “began to beat with boundless desire,” a simile that conveys her intense longing and the allure of material possessions. Her sense of happiness upon seeing the diamond necklace—with its “neck-turning” brilliance—further underscores how societal standards equate beauty with wealth. Maupassant shows that women, especially in that era, are valued primarily for their appearance and possessions, a societal attitude still relevant today.

On the theme of appearance versus reality, Maupassant employs personification and onomatopoeia to enhance the narrative. The description of Mathilde’s deteriorating appearance over ten years involves her physical decline, which Maupassant depicts with evocative language. The description of her eventual meeting with Mme. Forestier involves the exclamation “Oh, my poor Mathilde,” where the emotion is heightened through onomatopoeic words. These sound devices evoke the shock and surprise of the characters, emphasizing the story’s underlying message about the illusions of wealth and beauty.

The story concludes with Mathilde’s realization that her obsession with material possessions led her to ruin. Maupassant’s use of metaphors, imagery, and hyperbole reinforces this moral lesson—highlighting how superficial values can lead to tragic consequences. The narrative effectively illustrates that true worth is not measured by outward appearances or possessions but by intrinsic qualities. Overall, Maupassant’s deployment of literary techniques creates a vivid, impactful story that resonates with contemporary societal issues concerning materialism and social mobility.

In conclusion, Maupassant’s “The Necklace” is a masterclass in the use of literary devices to craft a compelling moral tale. The imagery, metaphors, hyperbole, and similes work cohesively to depict the character’s internal struggles and societal pressures. These techniques make the story engaging, emotionally impactful, and relevant even today, shedding light on the dangers of valuing superficial qualities over true worth.

References

• Maupassant, Guy de. The Necklace. Mankato: Creative Education, 1992.
• Bloom, Harold. Guy de Maupassant's Short Stories. Chelsea House Publishing, 2003.
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