Exploring the Theme of Materialism in 'The Necklace' by Maupassant

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of Guy de Maupassant's short story, 'The Necklace,' focusing on the central theme of materialism and its detrimental effects. The essay examines how Mrs. Loisel's insatiable desire for a luxurious lifestyle, fueled by comparison and greed, leads to her downfall. It explores how her materialistic ambitions and constant dissatisfaction with her life drive her to borrow a diamond necklace, which she subsequently loses, plunging her and her husband into debt and hardship. The analysis delves into the consequences of her actions, including the ten years of toil they endure to repay the debt, and the ultimate revelation that the necklace was a fake. The essay argues that the story highlights the dangers of excessive materialism, the destructive nature of comparison, and the potential for tragedy to serve as a catalyst for personal growth and a reevaluation of values. The narrative also explores the theme that tragedy, though painful, can be a blessing in disguise, teaching the characters the value of humility and gratitude. The essay supports its arguments with specific examples and quotations from the story to demonstrate the impact of these themes on the characters and the overall message of the narrative.

the neckless
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The story “the neckless” written by French writer guy de Maupassant revolves around a poor
lady Mrs. Loisel who is married to a clerk and has very high materialistic ambitions, things of
expensive tastes always appeal her and she believes herself to be destined for all the great
luxuries of this world (americanliterature.com). An invitation to the high- class party lead her to
borrow a diamond necklace from her close friend which she loses it, unable to recover the
necklace, they got in debt, for repaying the debt, they shifted to smaller flat, they fired their
maid, they started living a life of lower means by doing odd jobs. After ten years of hard work
they got successful in repaying the debt, one fine day, when she accidently meets Mrs. forestair
the bitter truth came out shocking her that the necklace was the duplicate one. The main theme is
the materialistic greed pushes an individual to the edge of distress from their self-fulfilled life.
The greed has no end except death, the argument coincides with the theme as greed causes
dissatisfaction as human desires are never ending (omswami.com). The greed is portrayed
through Mrs. Loisel never ending desires of living a luxurious life, every time she used to see her
small flat and things in it, she used to dream of a luxurious version of it, her greed got more
evidenced in the story when she insisted her husband to get her a beautiful dress for a party and
then an exquisite necklace . (patheos.com). Her never ending desires could also be proved from
the lines “She suffered constantly feeling herself to be destined for all the delicacies and luxuries.
She suffered because of its grim apartment with its drab wall, threadbare furniture, ugly
curtains”. Her greed always threw her into depression thereby increasing her agony day by day.
Comparison leads to self-doom; the argument goes along with the theme as all forms of
comparisons stems from materialism. As it makes one forget to count his blessings, Mrs. Lionel

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always compared her life to those who were richer than her which was the cause of her
dissatisfaction. When she used to sit with her husband for dinner on their old dining table, she
used to dream of more lavished gourmet, she cannot stop comparing her each and every thing
with the richer version of it (asmithblog.com). In one instance, when her husband tried
convincing her to wear flower jewelry for the party she denied by saying “No, there is nothing
humiliating than looking shabby in the company of rich women” .Due to her incessant
comparison, she always remains depressed and unhappy which made her so weak to appreciate
the blessings she already enjoys (theguardian.com).
Tragedy was a blessing in disguise, the argument coincides with the theme as tragedy in one’s
life helps in introspecting one materialistic life to connect to the divinity. Every bad thing that
happens has a goodness in it (theodeysseyonline). The struggle for ten years taught her the value
of small things and joys of life, it had made her more humble, grateful and of strong character.
The following lines from the story explains everything “what would life have been like if she
would have not lost the necklace? who knows? Life is so peculiar, so uncertain how little a thing
it takes to destroy you or save you”. The tragedy had indeed saved her, she started living life
more peacefully than before, if this tragedy did not befall her, she would have never improved as
a human being and would have lived all her life gazing the upscale society.
The world of shiny glitters deludes its residents that happiness lies in seeking materialistic
pleasures, making them forget the importance of little things which are the cause of real
happiness. Mrs. Lionel’s insatiable hunger of things brought her to nadir, if only she knew the

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importance of these temporary pleasures, she would have lived the much peaceful life. She was
lucky enough to be the victim of this tragedy which taught her the real lessons of life.
Bibliography

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