NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English ‘ The Necklace’
The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
Introduction
The Necklace (La Parure in French) is a short story by Guy de Maupassant, first published in 1884. It is a poignant tale that explores themes of pride, materialism, social ambition, and the harsh realities of life. Maupassant’s story is often praised for its ironic twist ending and realistic portrayal of human emotions and societal pressures.
Plot Summary
1. Introduction to Mathilde Loisel
The story revolves around Mathilde Loisel, a young and attractive woman born into a modest family. She feels dissatisfied with her humble life and dreams of luxury and wealth. Married to a simple clerk in the Ministry of Education, Mathilde believes she deserves a more glamorous and affluent lifestyle.
2. The Invitation
One day, Mathilde’s husband brings home an invitation to a prestigious ball hosted by the Ministry. While he expects Mathilde to be delighted, she is upset because she has nothing suitable to wear. Her husband sacrifices his savings of 400 francs, meant for a rifle, to buy her a dress. However, Mathilde remains unsatisfied, feeling she also needs jewelry to complete her appearance.
3. Borrowing the Necklace
Mathilde decides to borrow a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier. She selects an elegant necklace, convinced it will make her look wealthy and sophisticated at the ball.
4. The Ball
Mathilde attends the ball and becomes the center of attention. She feels ecstatic, enjoying the admiration of the guests and living the life she has always dreamed of, even if only for one night.
5. The Loss
Upon returning home, Mathilde realizes she has lost the necklace. She and her husband search everywhere but cannot find it. They decide to replace it with a similar necklace, which costs 36,000 francs, an amount far beyond their means.
6. The Sacrifice
To pay for the necklace, the Loisels borrow money from various sources and plunge themselves into debt. They spend the next ten years living in extreme poverty, sacrificing their comforts and working tirelessly to repay the loans. Mathilde loses her beauty and charm, becoming haggard and aged due to the hardships.
7. The Twist Ending
After finally repaying the debt, Mathilde meets Madame Forestier and tells her about the ordeal. To Mathilde’s shock, Madame Forestier reveals that the necklace was a fake, worth only a few hundred francs.
Themes
1. The Dangers of Materialism
Mathilde’s desire for wealth and status drives her to make choices that ultimately ruin her life. Her fixation on material possessions blinds her to the value of her current life and leads to her downfall.
2. The Irony of Fate
The story’s dramatic irony lies in the revelation that the necklace was a fake. The Loisels’ immense suffering was unnecessary, highlighting how life’s unpredictable twists can lead to tragic consequences.
3. Pride and Social Class
Mathilde’s pride prevents her from accepting her social position. She dreams of ascending to a higher class, yet this aspiration leads to her downfall. The story critiques the rigid class structure of 19th-century France and the societal pressures that force people to chase unattainable ideals.
4. Sacrifice and Resilience
Despite the story’s bleak tone, it also highlights the resilience of the human spirit. Mathilde and her husband endure great hardship to repay their debts, showcasing their determination and sense of responsibility.
Character Analysis
1. Mathilde Loisel
- Traits: Beautiful, vain, and dissatisfied with her modest life.
- Flaws: Her pride and obsession with wealth lead her to make poor decisions.
- Transformation: Mathilde undergoes a physical and emotional transformation. By the end of the story, she is no longer the superficial woman she once was; she learns the harsh realities of life but at a great cost.
2. Monsieur Loisel
- Traits: Kind, selfless, and supportive.
- Role: A devoted husband who sacrifices his comfort to make Mathilde happy.
- Significance: He represents the unsung hero, enduring hardship without complaint.
3. Madame Forestier
- Traits: Wealthy, generous, and oblivious to Mathilde’s suffering.
- Role: Her necklace serves as the catalyst for the story’s events. The twist ending reveals her character’s innocence and the futility of Mathilde’s struggles.
Symbolism
1. The Necklace
The necklace symbolizes Mathilde’s desire for wealth and social status. It also represents the illusion of wealth, as it is revealed to be fake, mirroring Mathilde’s superficial aspirations.
2. The Ball
The ball represents Mathilde’s fleeting dream of living a luxurious life. It serves as a stark contrast to her grim reality after the necklace is lost.
3. The Debt
The debt symbolizes the consequences of living beyond one’s means and the price of vanity and pride.
Moral Lessons
- Contentment is Key:
The story teaches readers to appreciate what they have and avoid unnecessary desires for material possessions. - Honesty Matters:
If Mathilde had confessed to Madame Forestier about losing the necklace, she could have avoided years of suffering. - Illusions vs. Reality:
The story emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between appearances and reality. Mathilde’s pursuit of an illusion leads to real suffering. - The Value of Sacrifice:
Monsieur Loisel’s sacrifices highlight the importance of love, support, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Writing Style and Literary Devices
1. Irony:
The story’s ending is a classic example of situational irony. The revelation that the necklace is fake contrasts sharply with the Loisels’ sacrifices, making the conclusion impactful.
2. Symbolism:
Maupassant uses objects and events to symbolize larger themes, such as the necklace representing superficial desires.
3. Realism:
The story’s portrayal of societal pressures, class distinctions, and human emotions is grounded in realism, making it relatable to readers.
4. Conciseness:
Maupassant’s writing is concise and focused. Every detail in the story serves a purpose, contributing to its overall impact.
Critical Analysis
The Necklace is a timeless tale that critiques society’s obsession with appearances and material wealth. Maupassant’s realistic depiction of human desires and the consequences of vanity resonates with readers across generations. The story’s ending leaves a lasting impression, reminding us of life’s unpredictability and the importance of honesty and contentment.
The narrative also highlights the plight of women in a patriarchal society, where beauty and social status are often emphasized over personal worth. Mathilde’s struggles can be interpreted as a commentary on the limited opportunities for women to rise above their circumstances in 19th-century France.
Conclusion
The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant is a masterful exploration of human vanity, ambition, and the harsh lessons life often teaches. Through Mathilde’s tragic journey, Maupassant delivers a powerful message about the dangers of pride and materialism. The story’s ironic twist and universal themes ensure its place as a classic in world literature. It remains a thought-provoking tale that encourages readers to reflect on their own values and choices.
Importent FAQs on The Necklace
1. What kind of a person is Mme Loisel − why is she always unhappy?
Ans: Mme. loisel is a dreamy woman. She gives much value to her dreams. She overlooks the realities of life. That is why, she is always unhappy because dreams can’t be true. She wants them to be true.
2. What kind of person is her husband?
Ans: Her husband is a very simple-hearted person. He is an ordinary person. He is a caring husband. He wants to see Mme. Loisel was happy.
1. What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?
Ans: After buying a pretty dress, Mme Loisel was bothered by yet another problem. She had no jewel to adorn herself with. She said she would have a poverty-stricken look. Her husband suggested that she should wear some natural flowers. However, she refused and said that there was nothing more humiliating than to have a shabby air amid rich women.
2. How is the problem solved?
Ans: Mme Loisel’s husband solved this problem. He told his wife to request her friend, Mme Forestier to lend her some jewels. When she went to Mme Forestier, the latter brought a jewel case, so that Mme Loisel could choose whichever jewels she liked.
1. What do M. and Mme Loisel do next?
Ans: When M. and Mme Loisel realized that the necklace was missing, they tried to find out where she could have lost it. They concluded that it could have been dropped in the cab. They did not know its number. Therefore, Loisel went over the track where they had walked. When he found nothing, he went to the police and to the cab offices. He even put an advertisement in the newspapers, offering a reward. He then asked Matilda to write a letter to Mme Forestier, explaining that she had broken the clasp of the necklace and would get it repaired. This gave them time to find the necklace. However, they eventually decided to replace the necklace with a new one.
1. The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Ans: The course of Loisel’s life changed due to the necklace. After replacing the lost necklace with a new one, they had to repay all the money that they had borrowed to buy the new necklace. They sent away the maid and changed their lodgings. They rented some rooms in an attic. Matilda learned the odious work of a kitchen. She washed the dishes, soiled linen, their clothes, and dishcloths. She took down the refuse to the street each morning and brought up the water, stopping at each landing to catch her breath. She went to the grocer’s, the butcher’s, and the fruiter’s, with her basket on her arm, shopping, haggling to save her money. Loisel worked in the evenings, putting the books of some merchants in order. At night, he did copying at five sous a page. This lasted for ten years, and at the end of the said period, they were able to repay their lenders.
2. What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
Ans: The cause of Matilda’s ruin was her dissatisfaction with whatever life offered her. She was always unhappy. She felt that she was born for all the delicacies and luxuries. She disliked her circumstances. She could have avoided the ruin by being content with what she had.
3. What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?
Ans: If Matilda had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace, she might have been in less trouble than she faced after having replaced the necklace. Her friend would have been angry with her. Most probably, she would have asked Matilda to replace it. She would have given her the details of where she had bought the necklace and how much it had cost her. Matilda would thus have known that the jewels in the necklace were not real diamonds. It would have cost her a far lesser amount to replace it. Matilda would thus have saved herself and her husband all the trouble they went through.
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