Symbolism Review & Intro to "The Necklace"

Symbolism, Status Symbols, French History, & "The Necklace"

Symbol:

• Anything that hints at something else, usually

something abstract, such as an idea or belief.

Literary Symbol

• An object, a person, a

situation, or an action
that has a literal
meaning in a story but
suggests or represents
other meanings.

Multiple Choice

What might a "storm" symbolize?

• A difficult time

• Thunder and lightning

• A party

• Cold weather

Multiple Choice

Which of the following symbols may represent a broken relationship?

• A Siberian Tiger

• Shattered glass

• Fire

• Stars

Multiple Choice

One hot summer day, a weary fox padded down a dusty road, desperate for food and drink. He had traveled for miles without finding so much as a berry to nibble or a puddle of water to sip from.

Suddenly, a beautiful aroma filled the air. The fox sniffed and sniffed, his mouth watering in anticipation. Then he looked up. Several feet above him, trailing along a trellis, was a vine full of juicy grapes.

The fox jumped up, but he could not reach them. Then he backed up, took a running start, and leaped as high as he could. Still, the grapes remained out of reach. Again and again, he tried, with no success.

Finally, exhausted and faint from his efforts, the fox gave up and went on his way. "Oh, well," he sneered, "no big loss. I could tell those grapes were sour anyway."

In this passage, the grapes symbolize—

• something that a person wants but can't have

• a desire to be happy and independent

• a delicious, satisfying meal

• a decision that is difficult to make

Status Symbol

• A possession that indicates a person's wealth, social,

or professional status.

•Includes

– Cars
– Phones
– Clothing
– Jewelry
– Ability to go on vacations
– Ability to eat in fancy restaurants

•Status symbols show that you have money to
spend on things other than the necessities of
life.

Status Symbols

• Can change over time

Status Symbols

• Can be different depending on who you want

to impress

Open Ended

Give an example of a status symbol OTHER THAN a cellphone or a pair of shoes. What does this status symbol tell us about the person? (2-3 sentences.)

"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant

Time and Place

• Paris, France

• Late 1800s (19th century)

Background Info

v 19th-century society in Paris had a rigid class structure.

The time period of this story is roughly the same as the time in which Les Misérables (the French play) is set!

Called "The Estates."

The Monarchy is at the very top, followed by the Church, the rest of the aristocracy, and then everyone else.

​

This is one contributing factor to the French Revolution!

​19th c. France's Class System

Multiple Choice

What does it mean for a King to have Divine Right? 

• Rules by the power and blessing of God. 

• Rules by the suggestions of the people.

• Rules by listening to the Church to make decisions.

• The King is not really in power at all. 

Background Info

• At the top of the Third Estate: the middle-class merchants, clerks, government workers, etc.

  • They lived in modest homes or apartments.

  • could afford to hire a servant or two.

  • were not starving or poor

  • had a lot less money and social stature as the aristocrats.

  • MIDDLE-CLASS WOMEN DID NOT WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME. ONLY MEN WORKED.

Background Info

• At the botom of the Third Estate: peasants, servants, & farmers

  • worked hard labor

  • long hours

  • for the rich (who they then gave 1/2 their income back to in taxes)

• Members of the 3rd estate would try to own material goods to make themselves look higher in society than they were.

Open Ended

How might have the structure of social classes in France contributed to the discontent of citizens and the French Revolution?

Multiple Choice

Which people group makes up the 1st Estate?

• Peasants, Craftsman, Bourgeoisie

• Clergy, Monks, Nuns

• Nobility

• Monarchy

Multiple Choice

The 3rd Estate consists of which people group?

• Peasants, Craftsman, Bourgeoisie

• Clergy, Monks, Nuns

• Nobility

• Monarchy

Multiple Choice

Which estate made up the majority of the population (97%)?

• 1st Estate

• 2nd Estate

• 3rd Estate

• Monarchy

Fashionable Ladies from a 19th c

French Fashion Magazine

Everyone Else

19th c. French Status Symbols for Women: Clothing

Silk corset

Undergarments

Decorative hat

Pelerine (a short cape)

Gold and diamond necklace

Hair comb

gold & diamond bracelet

Status Symbols: Accessories

Status Symbols: Household Items

Caviar serving set

bed

Golden flower bouquet sculpture

Open Ended

In "The Necklace," a character wishes she owned something far more costly than she can afford.

Write three reasons (so three sentences) why a person might want to have expensive things. Start each sentence with an appropriate transition word. Use at least three of these words: obtain, impress, exceed, and identify.