Summary of The Necklace

"The Necklace" is a short story by the French author Guy de Maupassant, first published in 1884. The narrative follows Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful woman who dreams of a more glamorous life than her modest existence as the wife of a clerk. Despite being married to a loving husband, she feels dissatisfied and longs for wealth and luxury. One day, her husband brings home an invitation to a prestigious ball, which excites Mathilde but also highlights her lack of elegant attire and jewelry. To appease her, he gives her the money he had saved for a rifle so she can buy a new dress. However, Mathilde still feels incomplete without jewelry. A friend lends her a stunning diamond necklace for the occasion. At the ball, Mathilde is the center of attention and enjoys the high-society experience she craves. However, upon returning home, she discovers that the necklace is missing. In a panic, she and her husband search for it but cannot find it. To replace the lost necklace, they borrow a substantial amount of money and go into severe debt to buy an identical piece. The couple spends the next ten years working tirelessly to repay the debt, living in poverty and hardship. In the end, after finally settling their debts, Mathilde encounters her friend with the necklace. During their conversation, she learns that the original necklace was a fake and worth far less than they had believed. The story concludes with a poignant twist, emphasizing themes of vanity, pride, and the ironies of life.