The Necklace

eThe Necklace
(by: Guy de Maupassant)


Mathilda Loise was one of those pretty and charming girl who seemed to have been born through some mistake of fortune into the wrong family. She let herself get married to a lowly-paid clerk, Frau Loisel, who worked at the Department of Education in Paris. She was unhappy because of the poor apartment in which they lived, whit is shabby furniture. All day along she would think of the beautiful houses of wealthy people.

One evening, her husband came back from the office and proudly gave her and invitation to a magnificent ball. She quickly opened and read the invitation. Instead of being delighted, she threw the invitation angrily on the table, and said with an angry look, “What use is this to me? What do you expect me to wear if I go to a party of this kind?”

Frau was very upset and said, “Look, Mathilda. How much would a nice dress cost?” She thought for a moment, then replied, “Guess I could get one for 400 francs. All right. I’ll give you 400 francs. But try to get a really nice dress,” Frau said.

The day of the party was getting near, but Mathilda seemed sad, worried and nervous. “What’s the matter with you?” asked her husband. “I’m annoyed because I haven’t any jewellery to wear with my dress. I will look shabby. I’d rather not go to the party”, complained Mathilda.

“Go and see Mrs. Forester, your friend and ask her to lend you some jewelry,” said Frau at last. “What a good idea!” cried Mathilda.

So the day of the party arrived. Mathilda was a great success. She looked pretty and charming. Every man in the party admired him and every woman in the party was jealous of her beauty. She felt very satisfied with her appearance.

Returning home tiredly, she took off her coat and stood in front of the mirror. Suddenly she gave a cry. The diamond necklace was no longer there. They looked for it everywhere but diamond was lost.

Mathilda Loise had to live in dreadful life more than they did before. She had to work hard. Her husband had extra work at night to pay for the 18,000 francs debt. Mathilda looked old now and dressed untidily.

Now, the problem was how return the diamond to Mrs. Forester. The diamond cost 36,000 francs. Frau had to get 18,000 francs his father left for him and borrowed another 18,000 francs. At last they got the money and the first problem was overcome.

One Sunday, as she was walking on the road to get fresh air, she met Mrs. Forester. Mrs. Forester hardly recognized her. Mathilda told her about the lost diamond. Mrs. Forester, terribly upset, took her friend’s hands in her own. “Oh, my poor Mathilda! My diamond necklace was imitation! It was worth 500 francs at the most!”.



Find out :
1. Where did Mathilda and Frau live?
2. Why did she feel that she was the unluckiest woman in Paris?
3. Where do you think she lost the diamond necklace?
4. What was Frau’s effort to return the diamond?
5. Describe Mathilda and Frau characters.


Answer :
1. Mathilda and Frau lived in the poor apartment.
2. Because, she was one of those pretty and charming girl but she lived in poor state. Lived in the apartment poor, whit its shabby furniture.
3. I think she lost her diamond necklace at the party
4. He had extra work at night to pay for the 18,000 francs debt and he went into his father to borrowed another 18,000 francs.
5. Mathilda characters : ambition, greed but after the party she was hardworking.
Frau characters : hardworking, responsible.


Ilham Ramadhan
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