what happens in the beginning and ending of the story 'the necklace' by guy de maupassant

Answer 1

In the beginning of the story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, the protagonist, Mathilde Loisel, is introduced as a beautiful but discontented woman who is dissatisfied with her modest lifestyle. She is married to Monsieur Loisel, a clerk who can only afford a simple and modest life. Mathilde dreams of wealth, luxury, and social status, often daydreaming about a life she believes she deserves.

One day, Mathilde's husband comes home with an invitation to a grand ball hosted by the Ministry of Education. Excited about the opportunity, Mathilde borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from her friend, Madame Forestier, to wear to the ball. However, disaster strikes at the end of the evening when Mathilde realizes she has misplaced the necklace.

Being too afraid to admit the truth of the lost necklace to her friend, Mathilde and her husband decide to buy a replacement. They go into debt, selling their belongings and taking out loans to purchase a new necklace that is an exact replica of the lost one. Their financial situation worsens gradually over time, and they live a miserable and impoverished life for ten years trying to repay the debts.

The story takes a turn near the end when Mathilde encounters Madame Forestier while out for a walk. Mathilde confesses the truth about the lost and replaced necklace, expecting anger and judgment. However, Madame Forestier is surprised and reveals that the original necklace was actually a fake and worth very little. Mathilde's entire ten-year struggle and suffering were for naught.

The story concludes with a twist ending, emphasizing the theme of appearances versus reality and the consequences of materialistic desires. Mathilde's initial longing for wealth and social status leads her down a path of despair and poverty, ultimately destroying her life based on an illusion.