The Necklace - Mr. A. Rodriguez
"The Necklace" is told from what Point of View?
"The Necklace" is told by an omniscient third-person narrator, who refrains from judging the characters or their actions. The narrator does have access to the characters' thoughts and mentions that Madame Loisel is unhappy because she feels that she married beneath her.
Explain the irony. (situation) The fanciful and vain Mathilde is faced with debt and hardship. What is expected? What actually happens?
- She will sulk and refuse to work - She responds with determination and hard work
(situation) Mathilde's husband hands her an invitation to a glittering ball. What is expected? What actually happens?
- She would be excited - she is annoyed
Explain the irony. (situation) Mathilde is a great success at the ball. What is expected? What actually happens?
- She would be happy - She discovers that the necklace is gone.
What steps does Madame Loisel take to dress for the party in a way she feels appropriate?
1) She expresses frustration. 2) She cries. 3) She calculates how much money she can ask her husband. 4) She asks her husband for 400 francs to buy a dress.
What contributes more to Mathilde's misery? (circumstances or desires)
Desires - because all she really cares about is social status and material possessions
How might Mathilde's life be different if she had told Madame Forestier the truth right after the ball?
If Mathilde had told Madame the truth, she would have avoided the years of poverty and work
What does the necklace symbolize? List several aspects.
Above all false appearances Materialistic greed Pride Represents Madame Loisel's artificiality fakeness' The desire for what one cannot have differences in social classes dishonesty, insincerity
- How much the necklace was actually worth - How much the necklace they bought was worth - How much they bought the necklace for
- 500 francs - 40,000 francs - 36,000 francs
Explain the irony. (situation) Madame Forestier meets Mathilde on street. What is expected? What actually happens?
- Mathilde will reveal that she lost the borrowed necklace, but replaced it at a great cost - Mathilde learns that the borrowed necklace is a a fake and she sacrificed ten years for nothing
How is Mathilde (Madame Loisel) characterize in the beginning of the story?
At the beginning of the story, Mathilde is described as pretty, charming, and born for luxury. Mathilde is described as suffering because she believes she is poor. Everything hurts her—the shabby furniture, the ugly curtains, her plain clothing, even the peasant whom she hires to do her housework.
How is the irony of the necklace symbolic of a larger irony in Mathilde's life?
Her aspirations of an aristocratic rather than a middle-class life result in a decline rather than an advancement of social class.
What is the irony of Madame Loisel's beauty versus the rich upper class at the gala?
Her elegance and beauty is accepted but she is rejected by her true social class In a society that so highly values appearance, it is ironic that the beautiful Madame Loisel is excluded from society because of her class standing.
What does Monsieur Loisel do to pay for the replacement necklace?
Loisel possessed an inheritance of eighteen thousand francs left to him by his father. Takes out loans and uses his savings
What is ironic about the name Madame Loisel?
Madame Loisel sounds like... the term for a young, unmarried girl which is what Mathilde wishes she could be.
At the beginning of the story, why is Madame Loisel unhappy with her life?
She feels like she was born in the wrong class.
Why does Mathilde react the way that she does? (visits to her friend)
She is envious...Her friend has the kind of life that Mathilde wishes she had and feels she deserves.
There is a lot of irony and symbolism with the necklace. What is the irony wrapped up in the necklace?
The Loisel's sacrifice their humble but sufficient home to buy an expensive replacement for a cheap original.
There is a lot of irony and symbolism with the necklace. What is the irony wrapped up in the necklace?
The necklace appears of great value but fake while it appears to be a piece of jewelry of great value, it is really an imitation.
What is Mathilde's internal conflict ?
her perceived poverty lies in the fact that Madame Loisel is embarrassed by her poverty. Even though she is physically beautiful, and married to an understanding husband, she believes that the key to her happiness lies in expensive necklaces, balls and the luxuries that comes with to being rich.
What is the situational irony of Madame Loisel not being able to distinguish between a real diamond necklace and a fake one?
she works, toils for years to get the money to pay off the necklace. The Loisel's live much poorer than before losing the necklace.
Explain situational irony. Give an example
Opposite of what is expected an event that occurs that contradicts the expectations or outcome of the characters, the readers, or the audience.
What does Madame Loisel learn about the borrowed necklace at the end of the story?
The necklace was a fake. It was virtually worthless jewelry. It was worth so much less than what they thought it was.
What strengths do Mathilde and her husband, respectively, bring to their marriage? (demonstrated after losing the necklace)
They are both determined to pay off their debt.
What event would you consider the CLIMATIC point in the story plot?
occurs when Madame Loisel realizes that the necklace, she borrowed from a friend is truly lost. Panic time!
There is a lot of irony and symbolism with the necklace. What is the irony wrapped up in the necklace?
the Loisel's become poor to pay for the replacement of expensive jewelry
The main driving symbol in the story is the...
the necklace
How do her visits to her rich friend affect Mathilde?
they make her feel miserable, she is resentful and envious
Surprise Ending/Irony
unexpected resolution to a story's plot
How would characterize Madame Loisel?
very pretty", charming, young woman vain, unwilling to accept her reality
