A central theme of "The Diamond Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is the danger of vanity and the pursuit of wealth, which can lead to dire consequences. The author develops this theme through the character of Mathilde Loisel, who is dissatisfied with her modest life and yearns for luxury and status. Her desire for a glamorous lifestyle ultimately leads to her borrowing what she believes to be a stunning diamond necklace to wear to a high-society event. The necklace symbolizes her aspirations and the superficial values she holds, as she mistakenly equates material wealth with happiness. After losing the necklace and enduring years of hardship to replace it, Mathilde learns, too late, that the necklace was merely an imitation. Through this dramatic twist, Maupassant critiques the societal obsessions with appearances and wealth, illustrating how they can distort one's perception of happiness and lead to tragic outcomes.
read the short story "THE DIAMOND NECKLACE"
What is a theme of the story, and how does the author develop it throughout the text? Write a paragraph of at least four sentences. Choose one of the story’s elements and use it to show how the author develops the theme. Include details from the story to support your answer.
2 answers
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