In Guy de Maupassants's short story, "The Necklace," characters are taught many valuable life lessons. The main theme or central idea of this story is that dishonesty results in larger problems. Everybody is dishonest, especially those who seem the least likely.
The theme of the short story, "The Necklace" is to be happy with who you are and what you have. Madame Loisel lived in the middle class society but longed to be a member of high society. She wanted to live above her means and would do whatever it took to get there.
Odysseus does not want the Cyclops to get his hands on his ship, so he lies that it was ruined when they arrived. When he says "I saw through this" it means he sees through the Cyclops' attempt to trick Odysseus into telling him where his ship is.
