Realism and Maupassant's “The Diamond Necklace” (296-303) ven the west fantasy as something es about it But work of tion that ‘weal eaisic”arerealin partcuarway. They presents world defines by ‘etain ideas about the wy soil forces work upon individual human Beng and they show us characters whose mer Ines conor to certain olny ahout human psychology. It would be impossibe 10 define exactly what these “ertain” ideas and notions ate, But ite necesary to sey someting boutthe m=! lat ins rough and tentative way. nearer erature, Inddual characters are often shown suggling against fate or chance to achieve fame or happiness. Realism begin hes ters can identify “society” a6 the thing against which ndvals mon struggle. When he romantic deat uniue and fie personaly contonts 2 deterministic view of socal frees, realm i born, relic Reon we Sse individuals In confet with social group, withthe Cnt stucure, the family structure, the politcal system. The short stony—as opposed the larger novel-specazesin loneliness in the need fr love ano companion ‘hip that Is seldom adequately achieved; and inthe deste to real fo Invidval free wilin the face of the enormous pressures ofan Inierent {tively hose word 'Inavery definite way, realistic water ae the historians oftheir timesnot ‘honciers ofthe deeds of the great and powerul but witnesses to the _quabty of ordinary it. Two European witers showed the resto he Wester ‘worl how realism in short chon could be achieved: Cay de Maupassen France and Anton Chekhov in Rusia. English, lish, ané American hor ory writers learned from them, And the Americans in arcu, leaned wel Inthe shor story, skllwth anguage tslf counts formare thant needs 0 inlonger fon. The sorter ators, the more closely can aw upon the resources of poetry i its language. fut sory, especaly eae one, ‘nota poem. must have a strong naraive structure ot dsign, and t mast sttothe roots of human feng na behavorina way hatconvinces uso human uth: trathto the way things are tothe wrfaceo ite, aswel as ath to the nner lives of individuals, andthe scl structures in which nda Ives grom or are sed ‘The range of tones and techniques employed bythe writers represented here sin fact extraordinary. The interaction of individuals whieh a the heart of realism can be presented inthe detached, behavioral report of » Hemingway—ith no interpretive commentary—or inthe rich engaged rectal of Lawrence, in which the commentary explores emotions that he characters fel but could never atiulate for themselves. There ate igh stories with comic touches here, and ea tries tht bring scion to teas. Butall these works of realistic tion are designed to enlarge our sympathies by broadening our understanding. The endo realism is compas, GUY DE MAUPASSANT 1850-1853, orn Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant, he grew up a Normandy, not fa tam Roven, and went to school atthe Rouen Lyte before entering jenment servic. At the age of twenty he gered inthe Franco-Prussian Mar and many of his finest sores came outo that experience, Aer the rar he apprentice Nimsllto the older Flaubert. Hs greatst its were for the realise shor story, and he virtually perleted the form, producing heat thee hunted Sores ina dozen yeas. Ety ine he hed cor fracted syphilis, for which there wat no effective treatment a the te. In his forbes he could no longer work, a5 the diseae ntacked his bai tims reducing him to insanity before he ded at the age of forty-three (Re Diamond Neckisee) ~ ‘She was one of those pretty, charming young ladies, born, as if {throughan errorof destiny, into family of clerks. She had po dowry, zo hopes, no means of Becoming known, appreciated, loved, and marred bya man eitherrich distinguished; and she allowed herve to marry 3 petty clek inthe oe of the Board of Education. She as simple, not being able to adorn herself, but she was unhappy, a8 one out of her class for women belong fo no cate, no race; thelr grace, thelr beauty, and their charm serving them in the Place of birth and family. Their inborn Snese, their instinctive ‘egance, their supplenes of wit are their only aristocracy, making Some daughters of the people the equal of grea! ladies ‘She sufered incessantly, feeling herself born for al delicacies and luxuries. She sufered fom the poverty of her apartment, the shabby alls, the worn chars, and the faded stuffs. A these things, which another woman of her station would at have noticed, tortured and angered her. The sight of te litle Breton, who made this humble hhome, awoke inher sad regrets and desperate dreams She thought of Quiet antechambers, with their Oriental hangings, lighted by high. Bronze torches, and of the two great footmen in shor rousers Who sleepin the large armchairs, made sleepy by the heavy air fom the heating apparatus. She thought of large drawing-room, fang in old sks, of gracefl pieces of famiturecareying brie bracof inestimable value, and of he ittle perfumed coquettish apartisent, made for ive ‘clack chats with most intimate fiends, men known and sought alter, whose atteation all women envied and desired, ‘When she seated herself for dinner, before the round table where the tablecloth had been used three days, opposite her husband whouncovered the tureen with a delighted ait, saying: “Oh! the good. potpie! | know nothing better than that” she would think of the flogant dinners, ofthe shining sve, of the tapestries peopling the walls with ancient personages and rare birds in the midst of fairy forests she thought ofthe exquisite od served on marveious dishes, ofthe whispered gallanties, listened to withthe smile ofthe sping While eating the rose-colored flesh of the tout or = chicken’s wing, She had neither frocks nor jewels, nothing. And she loved only those things. She fle that she wae made for them. She had such & desire to please, to be sought after, to be clever, and courted ‘She had arch fiend, a schoolmate atthe convent, whom she did not like to visit, she sufered 80 much when she retuned. And she wept for whale days from chagrin, trim regret, fom despals and isappointment. ‘One evering her husband returned elated beating in hs hand a large envelope “Here,” he said, “here is something for you.” She quickly tore open the weapper and drew out a printed card on which Were inscribed thete words ‘The Minster of Public Instruction and Madame George Ramponnens 25k the Ronor of Mand Ms alse’ company Monday evening Jancary 183 he Minster seidence, Insta of being dtighted, ashe hoxband had hope, she tvew ‘helinwtation spiteful upon the tale murmuring “what do you suppose want with at “But, my deat, hough it would make you hapy. You never go coutsandthisisancrcaion anda neon! had ug deste woke to gest Everybody wishes one, andi i very sls not many are fiver fo employees. You wil ae the whole cic word there ‘She locked at him with n tated eye ana decrement “What do you appose have to wear to auch a thing ta” He had not thought ofthat he stammered “Why the dress You wear when we go the these. seems very HE wassup, in may, ahesight this wife weeping “wo. gred tea fellslowly fom the corners of his eyes foward te corner of his mouth he sammere “ti he matte Wha the mater?” By avislentefort she ad controlled ner vexation and sespondedin a calm vole, wiping her mot! cheeks 299 MAUPASSANT: THE DIMOND NECRLACE ‘Nothing Only have no dees and consequently cannot goo this fie, Give your card to some colleague whose wife ibeter ited out than 1" He was grieved, but answered "Let us $e, Maids. How much would a sultable costume cost, something that would serve for other occasions, something very simple” She reflected for some second, making estimates end thinking of sum that she could ask for without bringing with it an iomediate fetsal and frightened exclamation from the economtesl clerk Finally she sd. in a hesating vce “cannot tell exactly, but # sem to me that four hundred fanes cought to cover it ‘He tuned itl ple, for he had saved jas this sum to buy a gun {hate might be able o jon some hunting parties the net summer on the plains at Nanterre, with some tends who went 0 choot aks up thereon Sunday. Nevertheless he answered “Very well {wil give you four hundred franc. But try to have a pty dress” ‘The day of the ball approached and Mme. Loisel semed sad, disturbed, anxious. Nevertheless, her dress was neatly reedy. Het husband said to her one evening: “What isthe matter with you? You have acted strangely for two of three days.” ‘And she responded: "Tam vexed not to have a jewel, not one stone, ‘nothing toadorn myself with. Ishallhave sucha povery-laden ook. would prefer not to go to this party He replied: “You can wear some natural lowers. Atthis season they look very chic. For ten francs you can have two of three magnificent She was not convinced. “No,” she replied, “there i nothing more ‘humiliating than to havea shabby aie inthe midst of cich women,” ‘Then her husband cried out: "How stupid we are! Goand find your friend Mrs, Forestier and ask her to lend you her jewels. You are well ‘enough acquainted with her to do this.” ‘She uttered a cry of joy: Ie i rue!” she said, “Thad not thought of a” ‘The nextday she took herself to her friend's house and related her story of distress. Mr, Forestier wentto her close! with the glass door, took ou a large jewel-case, brought it epened it, and said: “Choose, ry dear” She saw at first some bracelets, then a collar of pears, then aVenetian coasof gold andjeveele and of admirable workmanship. She tried the jewels before the glass, hesitated, but could nether decide to take them nor leave them. Then she asked: “Have you nothing more?” “Why, yes. Look for yourselt.1 do not knove what wil please you.” ‘Suddenly she discovered, ina black slin box, a super necklace of diamonds, and her heart beat fast with an immodetate desir. Her hands trembied as she took them up. She placed them about he throat against her ess, and remained in ecstasy before them. Then she asked, ina hesitating voice, fll of anxiety ‘Could you lend me this? Only this?” “Why, yes, certainly.” ‘She fell upon the neck of her friend, embraced her with passion, then went away with her treasure “The day ofthe ball aved. Mme. Lolsel was a great success. She was the pretist of al, elegant, gracious, smiling, and fll of joy. All the men noticed he, asked her name, and wanted tobe presented. Allthe ‘members of the Cabinet wished to walt with her. The Minister of Education psd her some attention, ‘She danced with enthusiasm, with passion, intoxicated sith pleasure, thinking of nothing, inthe trlumph of her beauty, in the Bloryofher success, In akindof cloud ofhappinessthatcame oll this homage, and allthis admiration, ofall these awakened desires, and this vietory so complete and sweet tothe heat of woman. ‘She went home toward four o'clock in the morning, Her husband had been haf aslep in one ofthe lite salons since midnight, with three other gentlemen whose wives vere enjoying themeslves very much He threw around her shoulders the wraps they had carried forthe coming homie, modest garments of everyday wear, whove poverty ‘lashed with the elegance ofthe ball costume, She fl this and wished tehurry away inorder not tobe noticed by the other women who were ‘wrapping themssives in rch furs. otsel retained her: “Wai,” said he, “You willatch old out there. am going to call a cab. But she would not listen and descended the steps rapidly. When they were inthe sree, they found no earrlage; and they Began to sek for one, hailing the coachmen whom they sav at a distance, They walked along toward the Seine, hopeless and. shivering Finaly they found on the dock one of those old, nocturel coupes thet ‘one ses in Pars after nightfall asf they were ashamedof thelr misery by day. Tt took them as far as thelr door in Martyr street, and they went yt MAUPASSANT. THE DIAMOND NECKLACE wearily upto tele apartment. twas allover for her. And on his prt, Fe remembered that he would have tobe al the ofice by ten o'ock ‘She removed the wraps from her shoulders before the glass, for @ final view of herself in her glory. Suddenly she uttered a cry. Het wcklace was not around her neck, Her husband, already half undressed, atked:“Whatis the mater?” She turned toward im excitedly "thaveI haverI no longer have Mrs, Foresier’s necklace.” He arose in dismay: "What! How is that? leis not possible” ‘And they looked in the folds the dessin the folds of the mantle, Inthe pockets, everywhere, They could not find i He asked: "You ae sure you sill had t when we lef the house?” "os lt inthe vestibule as we came out” “But if you Rad lost iin the sret, we should have ear ial It must be inthe cab.” "Yes. Is probable, Did you take the number?” “No. And You, did you notice whats as ee ‘They looked a each other ulterl est down, Finally, Loisl dressed himself agai “Tam going.” said he, “over the rack where we went on foot, 19566 ean find i ‘And he went. She remained in her evening, gown, not having the force to g0 t0 bed, stretched upon chal without ambition oF thoughts "Toward seven o'clock her husband returned, He had found nothing, He went tothe police and to the cab offices, and put an advertise ment in the newspapers, ofeing «reward he did everything that DMorded them a suspicion of hope She waited all day ina sate af bewilderment before this frightful disaster. Loisl returned at evening with his face harrowed and pale; and had discovered nothing. “it willbe necessary,” sd he, “to write to your frend that you have broken the clasp of the necklace and that you will have it fepaired, That will give us time Yo turnaround.” She wrote as he dictated, ‘tthe end ofa week, they had lostall hope. And Loss, eder by five years, declared "le must take measures to replace this jewel ‘Thenext day they took the box which had inclosed it tothe jeweler whose name was on the inside. He consulted his books: Ti is mot L Madame,” said he, "who sold this necklace; T only furnished the casket.”‘Then they went from jeweler to jeweler seeking a necklace tke the other one, consulting their memories, and il, oth of them, seth chagrin and ansiety. Ima shop of the Palas-Royal, they found a chaplet of diamonds which seemedto them exactly like the one they ad lost. twas valued stfonty thousand francs. They could get i for thirty-six thousand, They begged the jeweler not to sel itfor three days. And they made ‘anarrangementby which they might eturnitfor thirty-four thousand francs if they found the other one before the end of February. Toisel postessed eighteen thousand france which his father had let him. He borrowed the rest He borrowed it, asking fora thousand francs ot one, five hundred of another, five louis ofthis one, and three louis ofthat one. He gave rotes, made ruinous promises, ok money of usuters andthe whole race of lenders. He compromised his whole existence, i fact, risked [is signature, without even knowing whether he could make it good or not, and, harassed by arse for the future, bythe black misery which surrounded him, and by the prospec fall physialprvations and moral torture, he went to et the new necklace depositing on the Imerchant's counter thisty-ix thousand francs, ‘When Mrs. Lose! 120k back the jewein to Mrs, Forestier, the later said to her ina rigia tone "You should have returned them to me sooner, for I might have seeded them.” ‘She did open the jewel-box as her friend feared she would. If she should perceive the substitution, what would she think? What should She say? Would she take her far & robber? ‘Mrs. Loisel now knew the horble life of necessity. She di her par, however, completely heroically. It was necessary to pay this righ debt. She would pay tt They sent away the maid: they changed thee lodgings; they zented some rooms under a mansatd roof ‘She learned the heavy cares ofa household, the odious work ofa lutchen. She washed the dishes, using her roty nile wpon the greasy Potsandthe botioms ofthe stewpans. she washed the soiledlinea, the Ehemises and dishelots, which she hung on the inet dry she tok down the refuse tothe street each morning and Brought up the water, sopping seach landing to breathe, And, clothed ikea woman ofthe people she went tothe grocer’, the butcher's, andthe ruiterer’s with her basket on her arm, shopping, haggling to the last sou her miserable money "Every month it was necessary o renew some notes, thus obtnining time, and to pay others “The husband worked evenings, putting the books of some mer chant in order, and nights he often did copying at five sous page And this fe lasted fr ten year, Arihe end often years, they had estoredal, al, with interest the fsuer and accumulated interest berides. is. Loisel seemed old now. She had Become a strong, hard Geom, the cade woman ofthe poor hovsehld. Her ha beiy Giese her shins ary het hands fod, she spoe aloud tone a raked the or with are pals of wate But sometimes when het Tshand was athe ofice she would set hersl before the window ndthink of hat evening party of former tines, of hat bal where she i 20 beautiful and so fatered How would it have been if she had not los that necklace? ws) Iowa? Who knows? How sngulehf,and ow al of hanges! \ iw sll thing wil rin or save one ae (One Sunday, as she was taking a walkin the Champs-Elysées to rid herself of the cares of the week, she suddenly perceived a woman walking witha child. It was Mrs. Forestier sil young. stl pretty, sll atactive. Mrs. Loisel was afected. Should she speak te her? Ye, ferlanly. And now tht she had paid, she would tlhe al. Why not? ‘She approached het. "Good morning, Jeanne, Her fiend did not recognize her and was astonished to be so familiarly addressed by this comman personage. She stammered: But, Madame do not know You must be mistaken-—™ fo, | am Matilda Lose Her friend uttered cry of astonishment How you have changed “res, T have had some hard days since I saw you; and some miserable ones—and all because of you" Because of me? How le that?” “You real the diamond necklace that you loaned me to weat othe Commissioners ball?” “Nes, very wel. Well, Tost i How is that, since you returned it to me?” “I retumed another fo you exacy like it. And it has taken us ten Years to pay frit. You can understand that twas no easy for vs who have nothing, Buti s Bnished and | am decently content.” Madame Forster stopped short. She said “You say that you bought a diamond necklace to replace mine?” “Yes. You did net perceive i then? They were jut alike” ‘And she smiled witha proud and simplejoy. Matame Forestier wes fouched and took both her hands ashe replied. “Oh! my poor Matilda! Mine were flee They were not worth over five hundred francs! ‘ON my poor Matilda