To Tell or Not To Tell
"The Necklace," a short story by Guy de Maupassant, is an example of how telling the truth can make all the difference in a person's life. In the story, Mathilde Loisel is introduced as "one of the pretty charming girls" (105). Because of her beauty, Mathilde believes that she should be a member of the class of wealth and prestige. Though she has the beauty associated with the upper class, her financial status still places her as a member of the poverty class. Her actual placement in society does not stop Mathilde from having a desire for the finer things in life. Consequently, Mathilde's vanity gets the best of her and puts her in a position where one choice can ultimately determine the rest of her life. She can either tell the truth and be set free from all feelings of guilt, or keep a secret and pay for it by giving up years of her life. Mathilde keeps the secret about the necklace and sacrifices ten years of her life that changes her physically and mentally.Upon accepting an invitation to a ball, Mme. Loisel borrows a diamond necklace from her friend Mme. Forestier. To her misfortune Mathilde loses the necklace, which brings her to a crossroad that will determine her fate. Mathilde follows the advice of her husband
The major lesson Mathilde takes from her incident is that although she might be afraid to tell the truth, the truth is the only thing that will set her free. However, the experiences Mathilde endures and the lessons she learns are priceless, therefore, no price could amount to the knowledge she had to gain from going through this ordeal. As well as changing physically, Mme. The changes cause Mathilde to become a stronger individual mentally. The choice not to confess about the loss changes Mathilde's physical appearance greatly. Loisel's sake appears to be a decision for the worst. She and her husband "change their lodging" and "rent a garret under the roof" in order to pay off the debts they acquire when buying the replacement necklace (107). Loisel also experiences mental changes. It is apparent that she has become tougher when the author describes how "she went to the fruiter, the grocer, the butcher, her basket on her arm bargaining, insulted, defending her miserable money.
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Acceptance Essays
