The Necklace

1. What happened at the ball? Was Matilda’s dream fulfilled?

Ans. At the ball, Mathilde Loisel’s dream was momentarily fulfilled. Dressed in an elegant
gown and wearing a stunning diamond necklace borrowed from her wealthy friend Madame
Forestier, Mathilde looked beautiful and radiant. She captivated everyone at the grand
event, drawing admiration and attention from the wealthy guests. Men approached her to
dance, and she basked in the glory of the moment, finally feeling as though she belonged to
the glamorous world she had always dreamed of.
Mathilde thoroughly enjoyed the evening, feeling a sense of pride and happiness she had
never experienced before. For those few hours, she was no longer the wife of a low-paid
clerk but someone who was admired and envied by the wealthy and influential people
around her. In that fleeting moment, Mathilde’s fantasy of being part of high society came
true, and she reveled in the illusion of wealth and grandeur.
However, the joy of the ball was short-lived. As Mathilde left the party, she hurriedly made
her way outside, reluctant to be seen in her worn-out shawl, which contrasted sharply with
her elegant attire. It was after the ball, while returning home, that tragedy struck—she
discovered that the diamond necklace was missing. This marked the abrupt end of her
dream and the beginning of a harsh and difficult reality.
In conclusion, while Mathilde’s dream was briefly fulfilled at the ball, it came at a great cost.
Her desire to appear wealthy and glamorous for one night led to a life of misery and
hardship, highlighting the story’s central theme—the dangers of vanity and the pursuit of
superficial desires.

2. How did the Loisels react when they realized that the necklace had been lost?

Ans. When the Loisels realized that the necklace had been lost, they were struck with panic,
fear, and anxiety. After returning home from the ball, Mathilde removed her coat and was
horrified to discover that the diamond necklace she had borrowed from Madame Forestier
was missing. In a state of shock, she searched through her clothes and pockets, hoping it
might have fallen somewhere, but it was nowhere to be found.
Seeing Mathilde’s distress, her husband, Monsieur Loisel, reacted calmly at first and
suggested that they retrace their steps. He went out in the middle of the night, searching the
streets and public places where they had walked, but he returned hours later without any
success. Despite his exhaustion from the night’s events, he did not complain and continued
to support Mathilde.
The next day, Monsieur Loisel visited the police station, cab offices, and even put up a
reward notice, hoping someone might have found and returned the necklace. However, all
their efforts were in vain. Realizing that the necklace was truly lost and dreading the
possibility of disgrace, the couple decided to replace it with an identical one.
Their reaction reflects their growing desperation and fear of facing Madame Forestier
without the necklace. To buy the replacement, they borrowed money from various sources,
plunging themselves into enormous debt. The calm and practical nature of Monsieur Loisel
contrasts sharply with Mathilde’s despair, but together they take on the burden, believing it
is their only way to avoid humiliation.
This turning point in the story marks the beginning of ten years of hardship for the Loisels, as
they work tirelessly to repay the loans they took to replace the necklace. Their reaction
highlights the consequences of pride and fear, which prevent them from telling Madame
Forestier the truth, ultimately leading to their tragic downfall.

3. How and when did Matilda find the borrowed necklace missing ?

Ans. Mathilde discovered that the borrowed necklace was missing after returning home
from the ball. Once the couple reached their modest apartment, Mathilde stood before the
mirror to admire herself one last time before removing her luxurious attire. As she took off
her elegant gown and the wraps she had worn to protect herself from the cold night air, she
suddenly realized, to her horror, that the diamond necklace she had borrowed from
Madame Forestier was no longer around her neck.
Panicked, Mathilde frantically searched her gown, shawl, and pockets, hoping to find the
necklace somewhere, but it was gone. She cried out in distress, and her husband, Monsieur
Loisel, tried to calm her. When they couldn’t find the necklace at home, Monsieur Loisel
immediately set out into the streets to retrace their steps, hoping it might have fallen
somewhere along the way. He spent hours searching through the night in vain, but he
returned exhausted and empty-handed.
Mathilde’s realization that the necklace was missing came just after her dream-like evening
at the ball, marking the abrupt shift from joy and glamour to despair and fear. This moment
set in motion the events that would lead to the couple’s financial ruin and years of hardship.

4. Do you think Mr. Loisel had an enjoyable evening at the ball?

Ans. No, it is unlikely that Monsieur Loisel had an enjoyable evening at the ball. While
Mathilde was basking in admiration and living her dream of being part of high society,
Monsieur Loisel was more concerned with her comfort and well-being. Unlike Mathilde, who
craved wealth and social status, he was a simple, hardworking man with modest
expectations from life. His primary goal that evening was to please his wife and make her
happy, even if it meant sacrificing his own comfort.
Monsieur Loisel had already gone to great lengths to ensure that Mathilde could attend the
ball in style. He spent his savings to buy her a new dress and suggested she borrow jewelry
from Madame Forestier. At the ball, while Mathilde enjoyed the attention and admiration of
the guests, Monsieur Loisel likely remained in the background, unnoticed and perhaps
feeling out of place among the wealthy attendees. Later, when Mathilde was thoroughly
enjoying herself, he grew tired and waited patiently for her to be ready to leave.
After the ball, Monsieur Loisel’s exhaustion and discomfort became more evident. When
Mathilde realized that the necklace was missing, he did not complain or blame her but
immediately took action, going out in the middle of the night to search for it. His selfless
actions, even after a tiring evening, show that his priority was his wife’s happiness and
dignity, not his own enjoyment.
In conclusion, while Mathilde had a memorable evening at the ball, Monsieur Loisel likely
did not enjoy it in the same way. Instead, he endured the evening with patience and later
dealt with the crisis of the missing necklace with calm and responsibility, highlighting his
selflessness and devotion to his wife.

5. How did Monsieur Loisel manage to buy another necklace?

Ans. Monsieur Loisel managed to buy another necklace by taking on a huge financial
burden. After Mathilde lost the borrowed diamond necklace, they decided to replace it with
a similar one to avoid embarrassment and disgrace. They went to various jewelers and
finally found a necklace that looked exactly like the one Mathilde had borrowed from
Madame Forestier, but it was priced at thirty-six thousand francs—an enormous sum for
the modest couple.
To buy the replacement necklace, Monsieur Loisel had to take drastic steps. He used
eighteen thousand francs that he had inherited from his father. However, this was not
enough, so he borrowed the remaining amount from various lenders. He secured loans from
friends, moneylenders, and anyone willing to lend him money, agreeing to pay exorbitant
interest rates. The couple was forced to sign promissory notes and enter into several binding
financial agreements, plunging themselves into crippling debt.
Monsieur Loisel’s decision to take on such a financial burden, despite knowing the
difficulties they would face, highlights his sense of responsibility and deep love for Mathilde.
He chose to shoulder the debt rather than allow his wife to face humiliation. However, this
act of selflessness came at a great personal cost, as it led to ten years of poverty and
hardship for both of them.
In the end, the couple repaid all their debts, but only after enduring a decade of relentless
toil and a drastically reduced standard of living. Monsieur Loisel’s sacrifices underscore his
devotion and resilience, contrasting sharply with Mathilde’s initial vanity and
discontentment.

6. “If you ask for too much, you lose even that which you have.” Elaborate this with
reference to the character of Matilda Loisel in “The Necklace”.

Ans. The saying, “If you ask for too much, you lose even that which you have,” aptly reflects
the fate of Mathilde Loisel in Guy de Maupassant’s story “The Necklace.” Mathilde, despite
being married to a kind and loving husband and leading a modest yet comfortable life, was
constantly dissatisfied with her social status. She longed for wealth, luxury, and recognition,
believing that she deserved a life of grandeur. Her excessive desire for a lavish lifestyle and
her obsession with appearances ultimately led to her downfall.
Mathilde’s discontentment is evident when she complains bitterly about not having fine
clothes or jewelry to wear to a prestigious ball. Though her husband sacrifices his hard-
earned savings to buy her a beautiful dress, Mathilde still feels incomplete without an
expensive-looking piece of jewelry. Instead of appreciating what she has, she borrows a
diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier, just to maintain the illusion
of wealth and fit in with high society. Mathilde enjoys the evening, fulfilling her dream of
being admired, but it comes at a great cost—she loses the necklace.
Rather than admitting the loss and facing potential embarrassment, Mathilde chooses to
replace the necklace secretly, resulting in years of extreme poverty and hardship. She and
her husband work tirelessly for ten years to repay the enormous debt incurred by buying the
replacement necklace. Ironically, in the end, Mathilde learns that the original necklace was a
fake, worth only a fraction of what they had paid.
Mathilde’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and vanity. Her excessive
desire for wealth and social status led her to lose not only her comfort and peace but also
her youth and beauty. Had she been content with what she had and valued her modest but
happy life, she could have avoided the years of suffering. Thus, Mathilde’s character
illustrates the moral that asking for too much can result in losing everything, even that which
we already possess.

7. The Story, ‘The Necklace’ reveals that vanity is an evil. It may bring short term joy but it
leads to ruin. Assess how vanity may lead to ruin with reference to the character of
Matilda.

Ans. The story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant illustrates the idea that vanity is a
destructive trait. Through the character of Mathilde Loisel, it reveals how an obsession with
appearances and material wealth can bring temporary happiness but ultimately lead to
lasting misery and ruin. Mathilde is portrayed as a vain woman who dreams of luxury and
high social status, despite being married to a humble clerk and living a modest life. Her
vanity blinds her to the contentment she could find in her current circumstances and instead
drives her toward superficial desires.
Mathilde’s vanity becomes evident when her husband secures an invitation to a grand ball,
and rather than being grateful for the opportunity, she complains about not having a fancy
dress or jewelry to wear. Her desire to appear wealthier than she is leads her to borrow a
diamond necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, to complete her appearance
of elegance. At the ball, Mathilde’s vanity is temporarily fulfilled as she enjoys the
admiration of others, but this fleeting joy comes at a great cost.
When Mathilde loses the necklace, her vanity prevents her from confessing the truth to
Madame Forestier. Instead, she and her husband decide to replace it, leading them into a
decade of extreme poverty and hardship. They work tirelessly to repay the enormous debt
they incur, and Mathilde’s once-beautiful appearance fades under the strain of their difficult
life. Ironically, in the end, they learn that the original necklace was a fake, worth only a
fraction of what they spent to replace it.
Had Mathilde not been so vain and obsessed with appearances, she might have confessed
the loss of the necklace, saving herself and her husband from years of unnecessary suffering.
Her downfall is a direct result of her vanity, which causes her to prioritize outward
appearances over honesty and practicality.
The story ultimately shows that while vanity may bring temporary happiness, it can lead to
long-term ruin. Mathilde’s misplaced values and desire for wealth and beauty cause her to
lose everything she already had, including her comfort, happiness, and even her youthful
beauty. Thus, “The Necklace” serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of vanity
and the importance of being content with one’s circumstances.
8. Not to accept the limitations of our life makes us unhappy in our lives. Describe how
Matilda Loisel suffers in her life because she does not accept that she is not a rich person.
Ans. Mathilde Loisel’s inability to accept her limitations and her constant desire to live a life
of wealth and luxury is the core reason for her unhappiness and eventual suffering in "The
Necklace." Despite having a loving husband and a modest but comfortable life, Mathilde is
deeply dissatisfied with her circumstances. She cannot come to terms with the fact that she
is not wealthy and that she cannot afford the lavish lifestyle she dreams of. This refusal to
accept her limitations leads to a deep sense of frustration, envy, and unhappiness.
From the very beginning of the story, Mathilde is portrayed as someone who believes she
deserves more than what she has. She is unhappy with her modest life as the wife of a clerk,
constantly yearning for riches, fancy clothes, and grand social events. Her dissatisfaction
with her reality is evident when she complains about not having an elegant wardrobe or
jewels to wear to the ball. Her husband, Monsieur Loisel, tries to make her happy by giving
her money for a new dress, but even this does not satisfy her. She insists that she needs an
expensive necklace to complement her appearance, as her self-worth is tied to her outward
display of wealth.
Mathilde’s refusal to accept her humble position leads her to borrow the diamond necklace
from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, in an attempt to present herself as part of high
society. She is so absorbed in her desire to appear rich that she overlooks the importance of
appreciating what she already has—love, comfort, and security in her modest life. The
evening at the ball, though a moment of fleeting joy, does not bring her the lasting
happiness she sought because her inner dissatisfaction remains unaddressed.
The ‘frightful disaster’ occurs when Mathilde loses the necklace. Instead of confessing the
loss to Madame Forestier and facing the consequences honestly, she chooses to replace it
with an identical necklace, leading to years of hardship and suffering. The couple takes on
enormous debt to replace the necklace, and they are forced to live in dire poverty for the
next ten years. During this time, Mathilde is forced to work tirelessly, which results in her
physical transformation from a beautiful, carefree woman into a worn-out, aged one. The
life she could have had—one of relative peace and comfort—is overshadowed by the years
of struggle that arise from her refusal to accept the limitations of her life.
In the end, Mathilde’s inability to accept her modest reality is the cause of her downfall. She
learns too late that the necklace she borrowed was a fake, worth only a fraction of the
amount they paid to replace it. This realization comes only after the Loisels have suffered
immensely, illustrating the tragic consequences of her vanity and her unwillingness to accept
her true place in life.
Mathilde's story underscores the dangers of living in denial of one’s limitations. Her refusal
to embrace her reality leads her to pursue unattainable goals, causing unnecessary pain and
hardship. In contrast, had she accepted her life as it was and valued the things that truly
mattered—her loving husband, her modest yet comfortable lifestyle—she could have lived a
much happier and contented life.

9. What kind of person is Matilda’s husband? Support your answer giving examples from
the text.

Ans. Mathilde Loisel's husband, Monsieur Loisel, is a devoted, selfless, and practical man
who loves his wife deeply and is willing to go to great lengths to make her happy. Though
they lead a modest life, he works hard and does his best to fulfill Mathilde's desires, even
when they are unrealistic or materialistic. He contrasts sharply with his wife in his humble
acceptance of their life and his practical outlook on their circumstances.
One of the first examples of Monsieur Loisel's selflessness is when he brings home an
invitation to a grand ball. While Mathilde is disappointed that she has nothing fancy to wear,
Monsieur Loisel uses the money he had been saving for a hunting rifle to buy her a
beautiful new dress. His sacrifice reflects his deep desire to please Mathilde, even though he
knows they cannot afford extravagant luxuries.
Later, when Mathilde feels that the dress is not enough and insists that she needs jewelry,
Monsieur Loisel tries to appease her by suggesting she borrow a necklace from Madame
Forestier. Despite knowing that they cannot afford such luxuries, he does not protest and
supports her desire for a more glamorous appearance.
When Mathilde loses the necklace, Monsieur Loisel’s reaction is one of calm and
determination. Instead of becoming angry or upset, he immediately sets out to help find the
missing necklace, searching the streets and public places where they had been. When the
necklace is not found, he does not complain or blame Mathilde but instead agrees to replace
the necklace with an identical one. To do so, he borrows money from various sources,
plunging the couple into debt. This marks a huge personal sacrifice for him, as he spends ten
years working tirelessly to repay the loans, enduring a lifestyle of poverty and hardship. He
takes on extra jobs and works long hours, never complaining, all to fulfill his commitment to
Mathilde.
Throughout the story, Monsieur Loisel remains practical and steadfast, even as Mathilde's
vanity and obsession with appearances lead to suffering. His love for her is evident in how
he constantly puts her needs and desires above his own. He is not concerned with material
wealth or social status, but he is willing to sacrifice everything for her happiness. His
practical nature is further shown by his acceptance of their financial difficulties without any
bitterness or self-pity.
In conclusion, Monsieur Loisel is a kind, patient, and self-sacrificing man who does
everything in his power to make Mathilde happy. His character stands in stark contrast to
hers, as he embodies humility, practicality, and deep love, while Mathilde’s vanity and desire
for material wealth lead her to make decisions that result in hardship for both of them.

10. What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin?

Ans. The cause of Mathilde Loisel’s ruin was her vanity, materialism, and inability to accept
her modest social status. Throughout the story, Mathilde is dissatisfied with her life and
constantly yearns for wealth, luxury, and admiration from high society. Although she is
married to a kind and loving man who provides her with a modest but comfortable life,
Mathilde is fixated on appearances and dreams of a life filled with glamour. This
dissatisfaction and desire for more lead her to make choices that ultimately bring about her
downfall.
The specific event that causes Mathilde’s ruin occurs when she attends a grand ball with her
husband. Although she has a beautiful new dress, she feels incomplete without expensive
jewelry. Her vanity leads her to borrow a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend
Madame Forestier. This desire for a luxurious necklace, to complete her elegant
appearance, is the catalyst for the tragic chain of events that follow.
After the ball, Mathilde realizes that the necklace is missing. Instead of confessing the loss to
Madame Forestier, she decides to replace the necklace with an identical one. The cost of the
replacement necklace, which is thirty-six thousand francs, far exceeds what she and her
husband can afford. To cover the cost, Monsieur Loisel borrows money from multiple
sources, leading the couple into crushing debt.
For the next ten years, Mathilde and her husband live in extreme poverty, working tirelessly
to repay the money they borrowed. The years of hard labor and financial struggle take a toll
on Mathilde’s health and appearance, transforming her from a youthful and beautiful
woman into a tired, aged person. Ironically, at the end of the story, Mathilde learns that the
necklace she borrowed was a fake, worth only a fraction of what they paid to replace it.
Mathilde’s ruin is a direct consequence of her vanity and obsession with outward
appearances. Her inability to accept her modest position in life and her desire to impress
others with material wealth lead to a decision that costs her and her husband dearly. Had
she been content with her life, or had she admitted the loss of the necklace, the hardship
they endured could have been avoided. Instead, her materialism and pride set in motion a
series of events that lead to both her financial ruin and the loss of her youthful beauty. The
story serves as a powerful lesson about the dangers of vanity and the pursuit of superficial
wealth at the expense of one’s happiness and well-being.