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The Necklace Summary
The Necklace Summary
The Necklace Summary
Summary
SUMMARY
Madame Loisel is in her apartment
dreaming of a better life. She is
unhappy and dissatisfied with her
social status and mediocre
surroundings. Mme & Msr. L receive
an invitation to a party at the Ministry.
Summary continued
They borrow the money from loan
sharks and are forced to live a life of
poverty for 10 years until their debts
are paid off. Mme. L meets up with
Mme F and tells her about the lost
necklace, and Mme. F reveals the
necklace is fake.
POINT OF VIEW:
This short story is told from the
3rd person limited point of view.
The author focuses on Mme.
Loisels thoughts and feelings.
Conflicts:
Internal
Mme. Loisel vs. herself: her
excessive pride, materialism and
shallowness cause her emotional
torture as she feels shes been
deprived of luxuries.
Conflict contd
External
Mme. Loisel vs. M. different
values (although he is tolerant of
her behavior and wants to please
her)
SYMBOLS:
Necklace = greed/desire for what one
cannot have, differences in social
classes, dishonesty, Mme. Ls
fakeness or want of material things
Wrap = Mmes station in life
insecurity- embarrassment
Dress = M. Loisel sacrifice for his
wife
THEME:
Quote Interpretation:
Quote We do not succeed in
changing things according to
our desire, but gradually our
desires change.
Marcel Proust
Quote contd
In your own words, explain
what this quote means to you
We cannot always get what we
want when we want it.
Eventually, our priorities
change and what we want
changes at the same time.
Quote contd
Foreshadowing- Madame and
Monsieur Loisel live on Rue des
Martyrs street. A martyr is
someone that suffers a great deal
and never recovers after their loss.
The author foreshadows the
suffering that Madame and
Monsieur Loisel will have.
Quote contd
Mood- The mood of this story
changes as the characters and
their priorities change. In the
beginning, Madame L is
disappointed, but then she has a
great time at the party and the
mood shifts to one of excitement
and enjoyment.
Mood contd
After losing the necklace,
Madame Ls priorities change
and the mood changes to one
of tragedy and loss.