Question

Consider the condition of Mathilde before and after paying off her debt. Next, consider Mathilde’s reasons for working hard. Based on these factors, do you think hard work changed her character? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer:

Mathilde Loisel is the main character of ''The Necklace'', a short story written by Guy de Maupassant.  

Before paying off her debt, Mathilde was very ungrateful, selfish and greedy. No matter what her poor, loving husband does for her to satisfy her and make her happy, it is just  never enough and she always wants more. Born into a family of clerks, she has been blessed with physical beauty. Although, she believed her life was a mistake of destiny, leading her to live in a constant rebellion against her circumstances. Even though she has a loving husband and a comfortable home, she is so unsatisfied with her life that all she thinks about is the wealth she does not have. She cannot even visit her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, without being overcome with jealousy. Who knows, even if she had everything that Madame Forestier had, would it still be enough for her or would she still want even more?  

When she prepares to attend a fancy party for which her husband worked so hard to get an invitation, first thing she does is crying about not having expensive clothes and jewelry. She then borrows a diamond necklace from her friend, Madame Forestier, then loses the necklace and must work for 10 years to pay off a replacement. Her one night of glow cost her and Monsieur Loisel any chance for future happiness.

At the beginning of the story Mathilde was a very materialistic person and wanted to appear to be wealthy and cultivated. By the end of the story, after she had to pay off the debt, she was no longer materialistic and no longer cared about appearances. She was simply happy to have her debt repaid. Hard work definitely changed her, but probably not 100% because just as Mathilde was oblivious to the small pleasures that her life once afforded her, she is oblivious to the fact that her greed and deception are what finally sealed her fate. There is no mention of her spending her time daydreaming about luxuries she doesn't have. She just works and perhaps truly learns what a struggle it is to work hard and still remain poor.  

The fact that Mathilde's beauty, which had been her only valued asset, disappears as a result of her labor for the necklace is very ironic. She had borrowed the necklace to be seen as more beautiful and winds up losing her looks completely. "The Necklace" is about how wealth is all show, no real value, and can be more trouble than it's worth.