Name: ______________________________________
Grade: _____ / 50
“The Necklace” Study Guide
A. ANTICIPATORY SET
Circle one answer to indicate your opinion before reading the story.
AGREE | DISAGREE
Lying is acceptable in some situations. You should always lie to save face.
AGREE | DISAGREE
Life sometimes hands you cruel situations. The best thing to do when this happens is to keep
your suffering to yourself and find a way to get by.
AGREE | DISAGREE
Material goods, like clothing and cars are extremely important to being happy. Money can’t buy
happiness but if definitely makes it easier to be happy.
B. VOCABULARY PREVIEW
Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in the story and in class discussion.
Rueful
Exorbitant
Disheveled
Aghast
Adulation
Pauper
Chic
Dowry
Usurer
Vexation
C. Ask Questions to Analyze Cause and Effect
Use the cause-and-effect chart below to keep track of events in “The Necklace.”
A cause is an event, action, or feeling that produces a result. An effect is the result produced. As you read, ask questions to
analyze cause and effect. Examining these relationships helps you follow the logic that moves a story forward. As you read,
ask yourself (1) What happened? (2) Why did it happen? (3) What happens as a result? A single cause may produce several
effects. Effects may, in turn, become causes.
Cause
1. Monsieur Loisel receives an invitation to a reception.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Effect
Madame Loisel complains that she has nothing to wear.
D. PLOT QUESTIONS
1. Why was Mme Loisel unhappy with her life at the opening of the story?
2.
Why did Monsieur Loisel expect his wife to be pleased to receive the invitation from the Minister of Education?
3.
Describe Mme Loisel’s reaction on reading the invitation.
4.
Why had Monsieur Loisel been saving 400 Francs?
5.
Why was Mme Loisel anxious to hurry away from the ball?
6.
Do you think Monsieur. Loisel enjoyed the ball? Give reasons to support your answer.
7.
What efforts were made to find Mme Forestier’s necklace?
8.
How did Monsieur Loisel contribute to the cost of the new necklace?
9.
Describe in your own words how the Loisels’ life changed after they had paid for the new necklace.
10. What was Mme Forestier reaction when seeing Mme Loisel before she figured out who she was?
11. What was Mme Forestier’s reaction when the necklace was returned?
12. Do you think Mme Loisel recognized good quality jewelry? Give reasons.
13. Compare and contrast the life of Mme. Loisel before and after the disappearance of the necklace.
14. Why is the ending ironic? What kind of irony is this?
15. Did the Loisels choose the right course of action when they found the necklace was missing? What other choices
were open to them and why were these not chosen?
Have you filled in your Reading Scavenger Hunt yet? Break here to work on it!
E. CHARACTER STUDY: Mme Loisel
Provide a quote from the story that illustrates the
characteristic to the left.
Method 1: Physical description
Method 2: Words and action
Method 3: Thoughts
Method 4: Words/actions/feelings of other characters or
narrator toward character
Method 5: Direct Characterization; Narrator’s direct
comments
Explain what this quote reveals about the character and
how.