1.5.1 The Necklace - Part 1 - Std 9 - Kumarbharati

Author: Guy de Maupassant

Genre: Short Story (Realistic Fiction / Irony-based Narrative)

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Std X

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

This story revolves around Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful but dissatisfied woman who believes she deserves a luxurious life. Married to a minor clerk, she constantly dreams of riches and social status. When her husband brings home an invitation to a prestigious ball, Mathilde is upset as she has nothing elegant to wear. Her husband sacrifices his savings to buy her a new dress. Still unhappy, she borrows a seemingly expensive diamond necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier. At the ball, Mathilde enjoys admiration and attention, but later discovers the necklace is missing. She and her husband spend the next ten years in poverty repaying the debt for a replacement. Only at the end does she learn that the original necklace was fake. The story ends with a powerful twist and lesson on vanity, pride, and the cost of appearances.

Theme / Central Idea

The story highlights the dangers of pride, materialism, and false appearances. It also shows how one moment of dishonesty or poor judgment can lead to long-lasting consequences.

Character Sketches

1. Mathilde Loisel

• Physically attractive and charming

• Dissatisfied, vain, and materialistic

• Borrows a necklace to appear wealthy at the ball

• Suffers greatly due to pride and shame

• Ultimately hardworking and enduring in hardship

  
  

2. Monsieur Loisel (Mathilde’s husband)

• A simple, caring, and honest government clerk

• Tries to make his wife happy despite limited means

• Sacrifices his savings for her gown

• Stands by her and helps repay the debt patiently

  
  

3. Madame Forestier

• Wealthy, kind, and helpful

• Lends her necklace without hesitation

• Reveals the truth about the fake necklace at the end

• Represents contrast between real wealth and perceived wealth

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (with Answers)

1. Infinitive/Gerund

   Sentence: She wanted to charm, to be envied.

   Question: Identify the infinitives.

   Answer: to charm, to be envied

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Sentence: She borrowed a diamond necklace.

   Question: Change into passive voice.

   Answer: A diamond necklace was borrowed by her.

   
   

3. Modal

   Sentence: Would you lend me this, just this?

   Question: Identify the modal and its function.

   Answer: Would – used for polite request

   
   

4. Tense Transformation

   Sentence: She throws the invitation on the table.

   Question: Change to past tense.

   Answer: She threw the invitation on the table.

   
   

5. Wh-question Framing

   Sentence: Mathilde went to her friend’s house.

   Question: Frame a Wh-question.

   Answer: Where did Mathilde go?

   
   

Personal Response Questions

1. Do you think Mathilde should have told the truth about the necklace? Why or why not?

   Yes, Mathilde should have told the truth to her friend. Honesty might have saved her and her husband from ten years of suffering and poverty. Truthfulness is always better than pride.

   
   

2. What lesson do you learn from the ending of the story?

   The ending teaches that we should not judge things by their appearance and must avoid vanity. Pride and pretense can lead to unnecessary suffering.

   
   

3. Would you consider Monsieur Loisel a good husband? Why?

   Yes, he is portrayed as a loving and supportive husband who sacrifices his own comfort and desires to make his wife happy, showing care and patience.

   
   

4. Do you think material things bring true happiness?

   No, true happiness comes from contentment, relationships, and honesty. Material things may give temporary joy, but they don’t define real success or peace.

   
   

True or False

1. Mathilde was satisfied with her simple life.

   → False

   
   

2. Mathilde wore flowers to the party.

   → False

   
   

3. Madame Forestier’s necklace was made of real diamonds.

   → False

   
   

Probable Board Questions (Based on Trends)

1. Why did Mathilde not want to go to the party initially?

   She felt she had no suitable dress or jewellery and was embarrassed by her modest appearance.

   
   

2. How did the Loisels repay the cost of the necklace?

   They lived in extreme poverty, doing odd jobs and saving every franc for ten years to repay the loan taken for buying a replacement necklace.

   
   

3. Describe Mathilde’s feelings when she saw herself with the necklace.

   She felt ecstatic and admired herself in the mirror. She believed she finally looked like a rich and beautiful woman.

   
   

4. How is the story “The Necklace” an example of irony?

   The story is ironic because the necklace that caused so much misery was actually fake, and all their suffering could have been avoided with honesty.

   
   

Appreciation or Reflection Paragraph

The story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant is a powerful tale of pride, illusion, and the value of truth. Through the character of Mathilde, the author shows how dissatisfaction and vanity can lead to life-changing consequences. The simple, realistic narrative style and the unexpected twist at the end make the story memorable. The story uses irony and emotional depth to deliver a moral lesson. It highlights the contrast between appearance and reality. I liked how the author makes readers reflect on honesty, sacrifice, and contentment in life. This story leaves a lasting impression and a timeless message.

Interactive English Worksheet Sheet:

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