Journal_Entries_complete_2023

Journal Entries The Necklace Guy De Maupassant Plot The protagonist of this story is revealed as an unsatisfied woman who thinks of herself as a woman of high standard than what she is. She belonged form a family of artisans, at the same time she was unsatisfied with the kind of lifestyle she had and to her opinion she deserved a husband who has a better job and she thinks of her husband below her level. A woman who craves for all the delicacy, luxury and wealth of the world. On the other hand, her husband, a clerk in profession, is a supportive character in the story, supported his wife every way possible. Since Mathilde is a very fancy woman, Mr. Loisel brought her an invitation card for the ball party. But there again, as Mathilde complained for not having decent dress, he sacrificed his savings and for jewelry she went to her friend. She picked a very attractive necklace and nothing else, with that she looked the best among the women in the party, receiving all compliments. The actual story begins when Mathilde loses that necklace after getting home. And she and her husband they both tries to find that necklace every possible place. Because the necklace looked very expensive, they tried to find the same necklace from the shop mentioned in the jewelry box, but it wasn’t bought from there. After searching much they found a quite similar looking necklace to the lost one. It was 40000 francs, which was a lot more than the Loisel’s capability. They reduced it to 36,000 fracs. However, revolving this necklace their life changes. They gave up everything they had, worked hard, doing odd jobs, giving up their sober house, life, maid everything. Mathilde and her husband led a very miserable life. After 10 long years they were finally able to repay everyone’s debt. In one fine day, when Mathilde went for a walk, she happened to see Madam Forestier, from whom she had bought the necklace. After meeting her, Madam Forestier could not recognize her due to the drastic change she had been through. She pitied Mathilde. Then she reveals the reason. Ironically when Madam Forestier says that the necklace, she had lost was just an imitation worth 500 francs highest. The irony that hit Mathilde, when she smiled after hearing that Madam Forestier did not even open the box and never knew that it was an original diamond necklace. The ending with such irony that reinforces to think, so much effort and sacrifices made for a mere imitation jewelry. If they had told Madam Forestier that they had lost the necklace, the whole situation would have been different. Characters Mathilde: A Round character. She changes throughout the story. At the party she was a happy woman for being what she wanted, the most attractive, beautiful woman. But as the story proceeds, after losing the necklace the character changes. But she was never satisfied with what she had. Mr. Loisel: Mr. Loisel is a static character. Who is very practical and supportive from the very beginning he has been the practical person but he did everything he could do to make Mathilde happy. Even in after losing the necklace he was very responsible, worked harder to pay for the loan. Point of View The point of view is Third person limited. Because here, the narrator is only telling the story from Mathilde’s side. Thus, as readers, we only have access to what’s happening in Mathilde’s mind. Also, the time moves in a linear fashion. Everything is happening maintaining a straight timeline. Setting The setting is Paris and the year is 1884. Since the currency Francs was mentioned and it is the currency name of Paris. Symbolism The Necklace is symbolic to the phrase that “All that glitters is not gold”. When Mr. Loisel gives Mathilde his saved 400 francs to buy a nice dress, it symbolizes that her husband is a considerate man. “He threw over her shoulders the clothes he had brought for her to go outside in, the modest clothes of an ordinary life, whose poverty contrasted sharply with the elegance of the ball dress. She felt this and wanted to run away, so she wouldn't be noticed by the other women who were wrapping themselves in expensive furs.” This symbolizes her insecurity about being a lower-class woman that if someone sees her it would highly criticize her status that she tried to held so high with the dress and necklace. “What would have happened if she had not lost that necklace? Who knows, who knows?” This is symbolic to the uncertainty of life. It explains that one moment of desire can soon turn into a lifelong despair. “"Yes; you didn't notice then? They were very similar." And she smiled with proud and innocent pleasure.” This specific dialogue indicates that Mathilde was pointing at the sarcasm of fate. "Oh, my poor Mathilde! Mine was an imitation! It was worth five .....................................................continued................................................