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EAI: The Necklace

Interpretation Questions
1. Cite evidence of Madame Loisels middle class life (1st world problems!).
She had a nice house, decor, dresses, clothes, and jewels
2. Should Madame Forestier have told Madam Loisel the necklace was fake
when she borrowed it? Explain the rationale of your answer.
No, because she would have still been spoiled today
3. Did the Loisels have an obligation to tell the Forestiers the necklace was
lost? At what point?
Yes, ten years after the incident, she finally told Forestier what she had done
4. Had the Loisels admitted they lost the necklace to Madame Forestier, how do
you think she would have reacted? What are the possible scenarios? (note
the plural there)
She would have told them its not a big deal, but would still want money back
5. Now that the truth is out, what will happen? (Will the Loisels want the real
necklace back? What would they do with it? etc.)
She might want the sentimental value back, but wouldnt mind it too
6. Based on what little we know about Madame Forestier, what would have
happened had Mathilde told the truth about losing the necklace? What will
Madame Forestier do now that she DOES know? Will Madame Forestier give
up the real necklace? What should happen regarding the lost, fake diamond
necklace?)
She might look for It herself and keep her feelings private.
7. What law(s), if any, did the Loisels break? Could they still be charged? If
Madame Forestier keeps the real necklace, could they still be charged for the
loss of the fake necklace?
They broke the laws of stealing, and might have to pay for it
8. If Madame Forestier keeps the diamond necklace, what legal grounds can
she use to justify doing so? Would she break any laws in keeping the
necklace?
Im not sure yet I dont think so
9. If the Loisels took Madame Forestier to court to get the real necklace back,
would it be a criminal case or a civil case? Explain your answer.
Civil case
10.How would the story, particularly the future for Madame Loisel, have been
different had she not lost the necklace, or simply told the truth to Madame
Forestier?
She would have had her necklace and no problem, or just paid 500
11.What have the Loisels given up to be able to repay their debt? (go beyond
hard work and a not-so-nice home).
They completed more tasks and way more work than usual

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12.Has Mathilde Loisel learned her lesson or not? She is proud of her
accomplishments yet still blames Madame Forestier for her misfortunes.

She has learned her lesson and because of that, she let herself grow
old

Analysis Questions:
A. Describe how the reader is meant to feel about Mathilde Loisel at the
beginning of the story and contrast that with how we are meant to feel
about her by the end. Why? How does the author accomplish this?
She was spoiled and wanted everything she could have.
B. When Mme. Forestier reveals the necklace is fake, the reader feels the
force of irony. Explain why her revelation is ironic. How did you respond
to the twist in the story? Why?
She spent more money on a replacement rather than telling her the
truth and paying
Way less
C. How do you feel about Mathildes husband? Why? Take into account his
loyalty to her, how he indulges her, his years of sacrifice and hard
work, and what becomes of his plans to buy things for himself and for
his career.
He feels if she does not get what she wants, he wont be with her
anymore or shell
get mad
D. Might a young woman today be unhappy with her class as Mathilde
was? What choices do women have today to change their lives? Give
examples.
Not as much, or at least the people today will not have the same
interests
Short Essay/Discussion Prompts: (short answer or bullet points for now)
Mme Loisel's insatiable greed causes her downfall and results in her learning a
valuable lesson.
All of Mme. Loisel's problems are caused by her own actions due to specific,
negative personality traits.
By the end of The Necklace Mme Loisel has/has not (you have to pick) been
changed, both in her life and her personality.
And, for the intrepid "honors" level kid:

Defend, refute, or qualify: Guy de Maupassant's short story, The Necklace, is not
only a tale of a selfish woman in the late 1800s, but an allegorical (look it up)
warning to our own consumerist society of today. (Looking for .75- 1.5 page long
response. No more than 1.5 pgs!). Complete sentences.