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Symbolism in The Necklace

 
 
In the short story, “The Necklace”, by Guy de Maupassant, symbolism is used to represent aspects in the life of the main character, Mathilde Loisel. To a much lesser degree, her husband is also represented. As the title suggests, the primary symbolic object is a diamond necklace. In the story, Mathilde carefully looks over the jewels of her friend, Mme. Forestier, until she spots just the right piece, “a superb diamond,” and borrows it for a party. In a general sense, a diamond is thought of as a “stone of commitment, faithfulness, and promise between husband and wife.” A parallel can be drawn with Monsieur Loisel’s values because he shows his commitment to his wife when he stands by her, remaining faithful, although it means giving up his inheritance, going into debt, and living in hardship for ten years. A diamond also represents treasure and riches.
 
 


The necklace's value was illusionary: Vanity caused Mathilde to fantasize about her life and surroundings-to live in a world of illusion, rather than reality. When the necklace was lost, Mathilde lost the very reason for her vanity, her youth, beauty and charm: "Madame Loisel looked old now. Vanity is defined as "excessive pride, especially in your appearance. Some of the ideas I had were youth, social class, beauty, wealth, greed, truth, vanity, and pride. In analyzing the symbolism in this story, I first brainstormed what the necklace might represent. she did not listen to him and rapidly descended the staircase. " In Mathilde's case, the "excessive pride," in her looks and charm caused her to feel as if she deserved a higher ranking social class and the wealth that accompanies it. Forestier in order to borrow the necklace because she didn't want to look like "absolutely no one. When she wore the necklace to the party, she wanted to give the illusion that she was something that she was not. Loisel's values because her desire for wealth led to her downfall. The results of Mathilde acting on her vanity became apparent in the different ways it affected her life.


Some topics in this essay:
Mme Loisel's, Seine Mathilde, Mme Forestier, Madame Loisel, Monsieur Loisel's, Mathilde Loisel, Necklace Guy, Symbolism Necklace, necklace borrowed, necklace lost, social class, borrowed lost, excessive pride, loisel's values, mme forestier, parallel drawn, vanity caused, necklace borrowed lost,
 
   
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