The Necklace

“She was one of those pretty and charming girls born, as though fate had blundered over her, into a family of artisans.”

Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful but discontented woman, dreams of a life of luxury and high society. Born into a modest family and married to a lowly clerk, she feels trapped by her middle-class existence. She constantly longs for fine dresses, jewels, and grand parties, resenting her humble surroundings.

One evening, her husband secures an invitation to a high-society ball, hoping to please her. Instead of being delighted, Mathilde is distressed—she has nothing elegant to wear. Her husband sacrifices his savings to buy her a new dress, but she remains unhappy, lamenting her lack of jewelry. She borrows a stunning diamond necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, to complete her appearance.

At the ball, Mathilde is radiant. She captivates everyone with her beauty and grace, finally experiencing the admiration she craves. However, upon returning home, she realizes the necklace is missing. Panicked, she and her husband search frantically but find nothing. Too ashamed to admit the loss, they decide to replace it.

The couple plunges into debt, buying an identical necklace for an exorbitant sum. They move to a shabby apartment, dismiss their servant, and endure years of grueling labor to repay the loans. Mathilde ages prematurely, her beauty fading under the strain of poverty.

After a decade of hardship, Mathilde encounters Madame Forestier and confesses the truth. To her shock, Madame Forestier reveals that the original necklace was a fake—worth only a fraction of what they paid. The story ends with bitter irony, as Mathilde realizes her suffering was for nothing.

Key Ideas

• The destructive power of vanity and materialism.
• The harsh consequences of deception and pride.
• The illusion of social mobility and the rigidity of class.
• Irony as a central narrative device.
• The fleeting nature of beauty and status.