“The Necklace” Questions
Rupak Ravi
1/14/15
Block 2
1.Explain and cite evidence to support how both characters exhibit their traits.
The two main characters of, “The Necklace” are very different in terms of personality.
Matilda is insatiable, discontent, and unappreciative. Matilda states, “...Yes well it
was...but I am afraid we cannot go...My neck is bare. I have no jewels…” (12) This
quote shows that Matilda is both insatiable and unappreciative. After Pierre bought her
a dress worth 400 francs she is still unsatisfied and states that she needs jewelery. She
didn’t thank Pierre for buying her the dress in the first place. She just cannot be content
with what she has. On the other hand, Pierre is loving, faithful, and selfless. All he wants
to do is make Matilda happy. Old Pierre states, “We had so little money to spare for
luxuries. But her sadness was too much to bear.” (12) This quote shows how Pierre is
selfless and loving. Even though they didn’t have sufficient money to buy expensive
things, he still was willing to pay for it, just to make his wife happy.
2.Explain how the setting of this story plays an important role in the development of the
plot and conflict.
The setting of Paris, France, 1875 is very relevant to the development of the plot and
conflict. Paris is a city of fashion, Matilda, surrounded by the most elegant women of
Paris was jealous of them. She wanted more clothing and jewels. She wanted more
clothing and jewels. She yearned to live in luxury like the rich people of France. This led
her to borrow the diamond necklace, Which she later lost. She then had to buy a
necklace which was nearly identical to it. After making up a lie to Jeanne, who she
borrowed the necklace from, saying the clasp is broken and she is having it fixed,
Matilda and her husband lived in abject poverty due to the cost of the replacement
necklace. Matilda then finds out the real necklace was only worth 500 francs, leaving
her in shock. The setting influenced Matilda’s actions throughout the story.
3.Explain and identify how how “The Necklace” is an ironic short story.
“The Necklace” is an ironic short story that carries a major contradiction. Early in the
story, Matilda borrows a necklace from Jeanne Forestier to wear at a ball. After the ball
she realizes she lost it and has to buy a necklace that looks identical to it. The cost of
the necklace was 36,000 francs which put Matilda and Pierre in abject poverty. It was
later revealed that the real necklace that Matilda lost was actually an imitation. It was
only worth 500 francs at most. This is a contradiction of what the reader would expect.
The necklace was described as a beautiful necklace made of diamonds. It was thought
that it was worth a lot of money. The truth however, is that it was an imitation and wasn’t
worth as much as the reader would think. It is an example tragic irony because it put
Matilda and Pierre in poverty for 10 years and maybe even the rest of their life.