The Necklace
Honesty and contentment
Discuss honesty and contentment using the story.
What went wrong? Matilda's vanity (wanting to look rich) made her borrow the necklace. Then pride and fear stopped her from telling the truth when she lost it.
If only she had confessed. Had she gone to Mme Forestier and said 'I lost your necklace', she would have learnt it was false, and saved ten years of hardship. One hidden truth cost them everything.
How singular is life. Maupassant writes: 'How singular is life, and how full of changes! How small a thing will ruin or save one!' One lost necklace changed two whole lives.
What language? The story is in English, but it is set in Paris: francs, sous, Monsieur and Madame, the Palais-Royal. The characters would really be speaking French.
Two lessons to discuss.
- 'Honesty is the best policy.'
- 'We should be content with what life gives us.'
The story never states them; the ending makes us think of them. Which one do you think matters more here?
Practise this lesson
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