"The Necklace" is a famous short story written by French author Guy de Maupassant. It was first published in 1884 and has since become one of Maupassant's most well-known works. Here's a summary of the story, followed by a critical appreciation and 20 multiple-choice questions:
Summary:
"The Necklace" follows the life of Madame Mathilde Loisel, a middle-class woman who dreams of a life of luxury and wealth. Despite her modest means, Mathilde is dissatisfied with her station in life and constantly yearns for more.
When Mathilde's husband, Monsieur Loisel, manages to acquire an invitation to a high-profile event, Mathilde is elated. However, she feels that she lacks suitable attire for such an occasion. In a stroke of luck, Mathilde borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from her friend Madame Forestier.
At the event, Mathilde is the belle of the ball, enjoying the admiration and attention she receives. However, upon returning home, she realizes that the borrowed necklace is missing. Panic-stricken, Mathilde and her husband embark on a desperate search to find the necklace but to no avail.
Unable to confess their loss, the Loisels decide to replace the necklace by buying an identical one. This plunges them into financial hardship, forcing them to sell possessions, borrow money, and work tirelessly to repay their debts.
Years later, after the debt is finally paid, Mathilde encounters Madame Forestier and confesses the truth about the lost necklace. Surprisingly, Madame Forestier reveals that the original necklace was a fake, worth only a fraction of the cost Mathilde had paid to replace it.
Critical Appreciation:
"The Necklace" is celebrated for its exploration of themes such as pride, appearance versus reality, and the consequences of discontentment. Maupassant masterfully captures the protagonist's desire for a life she doesn't possess, highlighting the danger of constantly yearning for more.
The story serves as a critique of social and economic disparities, as Mathilde's dissatisfaction with her middle-class life ultimately leads to her downfall. Maupassant also emphasizes the deceptiveness of appearances, as the necklace that Mathilde perceives as a symbol of wealth and status turns out to be an insignificant item.
Through its ironic twist ending, "The Necklace" reveals the consequences of one's choices and the price one must pay for vanity and materialism.
MCQs:
1. Who is the author of "The Necklace"?
a) Guy de Maupassant
b) Victor Hugo
c) Alexandre Dumas
d) Gustave Flaubert
2. What is the protagonist's name in the story?
a) Mathilde Forestier
b) Madame Loisel
c) Madame Forestier
d) Monsieur Loisel
3. What is Mathilde's main desire?
a) Wealth and luxury
b) Love and happiness
c) Fame and recognition
d) Adventure and travel
4. From whom does Mathilde borrow the necklace?
a) Monsieur Loisel
b) Madame Forestier
c) Madame Mathilde
d) Monsieur Forestier
5. What happens to the necklace?
a) It is returned to Madame Forestier.
b) It is lost and never found.
c) It is stolen by a thief.
d) It is accidentally broken.
6. How do the Loisels replace the necklace?
a) By winning a lottery
b) By borrowing money from a friend
c) By selling their house
d) By buying an identical one
7. What is the social class of the Loisels?
a) Upper class
b) Middle class
c) Lower class
d) Aristocracy
8. How long does it take the Loisels to repay their debts?
a) 5 years
b) 10 years
c) 20 years
d) They never fully repay the debts.
9. What is the significance of the necklace in the story?
a) It symbolizes Mathilde's inner beauty.
b) It represents the vanity and materialism of society.
c) It holds magical powers.
d) It brings good luck to its owner.
10. What is the twist ending of the story?
a) The necklace is found and returned.
b) Mathilde becomes wealthy and famous.
c) The necklace turns out to be a fake.
d) Mathilde and her husband separate.
Please note that the answers to the MCQs are as follows:
1. a) Guy de Maupassant
2. b) Madame Loisel
3. a) Wealth and luxury
4. b) Madame Forestier
5. b) It is lost and never found.
6. d) By buying an identical one
7. b) Middle class
8. c) 20 years
9. b) It represents the vanity and materialism of society.
10. c) The necklace turns out to be a fake.
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