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The%2 BNecklace%2 BSummary
The%2 BNecklace%2 BSummary
The%2 BNecklace%2 BSummary
Madame Loisel - selfish (beautiful, charming, middle class, spoiled, daydreamed) aged quickly, heavy rough, harsh, shrill voice, poor Monsieur Loisel- kind, generous, loyal hard-working, clerk for Ministry of Education, wants to please wife, middle class
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:
1. People should be happy with what they have. 2. Honesty is the best policy. 3. You may pay a terrible price for greed and desire (Mme. Ls fatal flaw, her desire for material things, her fakeness just like the necklace)
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.