Greed and Envy Main Themes of The Necklace There are several themes to consider in the story ‘The necklace’ by Guy de Maupassant. Some of which include greed, accountability, appearance vs. reality and many more. In the story, Madame Loisel got a taste of the life she wants and continued to want more and more until eventually it ruined her. Which is why main theme of the story is how greed and envy which can lead to one’s self destruction. The story starts off right away describing Madame Loisel beauty and charm but unfortunately she was born into the wrong class.
Why I like the Story “The Necklace” There are many reasons for liking this story of “The Necklace” and every person will intake different morals from its story line. To me, it is important not to have greed in your life for it alone is strong enough to destroy the most important thing you have, your career and life. In this story Mathilde dreams of a better life. These dreams cause her to partially leave reality, then return greedy for things that she does not have, or can afford. The greed is a sign of her most inner weakness, a weakness for beauty and riches.
In order to forget who she was, Edith created an alter-ego of herself, and tried to become that alter-ego, she never really knew the difference between what was important, and what wasn't. As the saying goes, blood is thicker than water, but apparently Edith didn't know that saying or what it meant, because she was so set on trying to impress people who didn't matter, that she pushed away her family, the ones who did matter. No matter how hard Edith tried, she could never make her fantasy life a reality. Even when she was beginning to turn her dream into real life, she doubted herself, and began to realize that she was wrong. Edith discovered that what she
She shows off more than she has. “Mme loisel” knows she is not rich, and cannot accept to be around with her friend “Mme forester”. Her hunger for beauty and glamour results in the borrowing of the necklace. This becomes the bane of her life. “Some say the root of all evil is money”.
Concerning his mother, he states that her being constructed by others, meaning she lives on support from others, makes her notoriously fragile. He also criticizes the way which his mother overly values wealth, marrying for money and trying to make him do the same. Upon his description of Dora, he shows that beauty is a key point in making a woman attractive. He seems to believe that women exist to serve men, and women who fail to meet the standards of men are of no use. For instance, he criticizes Dora for bringing in his breakfast late, and immediately starts insulting her, calling her a pig.
Looks can be deceiving and I believe this statement plays a great role in this story. The main character, Mathilde, encounters a situation where she feels as though she belongs in a higher class based off her beautiful looks. She is neither wealthy nor comes from a family of wealth but feels as though she deserves as much because of her appearance. Unsatisfied with her lifestyle, Mathilde noticeably expresses her dilemma by complaining to her husband, Monsieur Loisel that she doesn’t want to attend the special event because she has nothing of higher class to wear. Mathilde then borrowed her rich friend Madame Forestier’s necklace, and at that moment, I could already foreshadow something bad to happen.
I'd been cheated out of my money! I'd been taken for a fool" (Hooper 158). Anne also displays that she can often misconceive her own views on society. For example " I had even childlessly supposed that a king and queen, being so important, they were bigger than normal people were" (Hooper 11). As there is no "giants" in our mists, it is likely that Anne has had a poor education as a child and is It is evident that , Anne's naive qualities are what drives her action's in this book and will ultimately play a part in her demise.
She was married to Monsieur Loisel who could only provide her a not so comfortable lifestyle. She is unsatisfied of what she have that she became nearly unaware of almost everything around her but the wealth she does not have. She keeps on imagining an extravagant existence: an elaborate feast, fancy jewels and clothing. She has a wealthy friend Madame Forestier. Mathilde is jealous of her and she will do anything in her power to reverse the mistake of destiny that made her poor.
Ashley was so confused that the only thing she could think of to say was yes, when she should have said no! Ashley became their friend but she never got why they wanted to be her friend. The mean girls were totally the antithesis of her; they were really preppy and wore expensive name brand clothing, and Ashley was not preppy and did not have much money. Everyday Ashley wished she could just ascend to a higher stage in her life but she couldn’t. Both of Ashley’s parents were normally austere.
The Necklace Multiple Contrasts Between wife and husband Desire and reality Poor and rich(what rich means) Needs and wants Her potential(her qualities) and her social status Reality and thoughts, reality and appearance Between discontent and reconciliation with who you are. The Necklace(*what it represents)*: Desired glamour Symbolically registers her vanity Lack of honesty Fakeness Trigger of her honesty Ironic discrepancy between who she appears to be and who she is Ironically brings out the best in her *Desire vs. lack of it. Our life is a perpetual lack(Lacan) She is greedy! Her friend is rich She is intoxicated with herself at the ball She felt the everyday wrap but also felt the poorness of it The buggy that only comes out at night: ashamed or unpresentable. She complained before but now she realizes that she was really living a middle class life and still had certain luxuries but now she is really living the poor life.