The Necklace Review

The Necklace Review

by Guy de Maupassant

Conflict

Character vs. Self

Mathilde is not satisfied and therefore has a conflict with her own greed. She believes that wealth will make her happy, and because she is not as rich as she wants to be, she is unhappy. Also, she is dishonest and then has to face the consequences.

Multiple Choice

Which image below best depicts the setting of this story?

Exposition

Paris, France, 1880

Mathilde and her husband, Monsieur Loisel, are a young, middle-class couple.  Monsieur Loisel is a clerk for the Ministry of Education, and Mathilde hates their shabby apartment and humble maid.

Multiple Choice

At the beginning of the story, what is the cause of Madame Loisel's constant unhappiness?

• her marriage

• her regret of not marrying richer

• her poor health

• her wish for more friends

Inciting Incident

Monsieur Loisel tells Mathilde that they have been invited to a ball. Mathilde refuses the invitation, claiming to have nothing appropriate to wear.

Multiple Choice

What conclusion can you draw about Monsieur Loisel based on his treatment of his wife?

• He cares a lot about his wife's happiness.

• He has grown tired of his wife's complaints.

• He cares too much about unimportant things.

• He enjoys accompanying his wife to fancy receptions.

Rising Action

Monsieur Loisel gives her money for a new dress, but she still thinks she needs jewelry to wear. She borrows a diamond necklace from her friend, Madame Forrestier, and she is greatly admired at the party.

Multiple Choice

Madame Forrestier was happy to lend Mathilde the necklace... TRUE or FALSE?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

The only reason that Mathilde was able to afford a dress is because...

• She and her husband worked extra hours at their job

• Her husband gave her the money he had been saving for himself

• Her friend, Madame Forrestier, lent her the money

• She used the money she stole from her maid

Climax

After the party, Matilde realizes that she lost the necklace, and she and her husband search frantically for it!

Multiple Choice

Where do the Loisel's think that Mathilde lost the necklace?

• In the ballroom

• In their house

• In the cab

• In the sewer

Open Ended

Where you do think Mathilde lost the necklace? Because this is a true opinion question, you can use personal pronouns!

Open Ended

If you were in Mathilde's shoes, what would you have done when you realized you'd lost the necklace? Explain your reasoning! Because this is a true opinion question, you can use personal pronouns!

Falling Action

Instead of telling Madame Forrestier, they buy a replacement necklace, which causes them to go into great debt. For many years, they work tirelessly to pay off this debt.

Multiple Select

What do Monsieur and Madame Loisel do for work to pay off the replacement necklace? Choose all that apply!

• She worked as a maid cleaning dishes, clothes, etc.

• She worked as a nanny, caring for a rich family's children.

• He worked as a cab driver in the center of Paris.

• He worked overtime as an accountant.

Resolution

Mathilde sees Jeanne Forestier one day and tells her the story of the lost necklace and the debt.  Mme Forestier tells Mathilde that the necklace had been a fake and worth very little.

Multiple Choice

Madame Forrestier had no issue with the fact that Mathilde took so long to return the necklace... TRUE OR FALSE?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

What kind of irony does Guy de Maupassant use in this story?

• situational

• dramatic

• verbal- sarcasm

• verbal- malapropism

Multiple Choice

Which purpose does the irony serve in this story?

• It conveys a theme

• It builds suspense

• It creates humor

• It causes confusion

Denouement

Guy de Maupassant leaves the readers to imagine how Mathilde feels after discovering this ironic twist!

Poll

Do you think the conflict of character vs. self is resolved at the end of the story? Consider whether or not you think her greed went away at the end of the story based on her interaction with Madame Forrestier.

• Yes, it's resolved. Her greed goes away.

• No, it is not resolved. She still is a greedy person.

This story ends immediately after Madame Forrestier reveals that the necklace was fake!

What do you think happened next?