(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/necklace/necklacelaparure.jpg) | 1. De Maupassant writes: "since with women there is neither caste nor rank, for beauty charm and grace take the place of family and birth." What does this tell about French society and the position of women at the end of the 19th century? 2. Why does Mathilde believe she was "born to enjoy luxuries"? Does it sound as if the author is questioning the fairness of her position? 3. Did you find any of the characters in this story likeable? Can you relate to Mathilde at all, either at the beginning of the story or the end? 4. What do you think Mathilde's life would have been like after her great success at the ball, had she not lost the necklace? What were the chances her marriage would have survived? |
I saw Mathilde as a spoiled woman who dreamed of fancy things but expected someone else to provide them. Her husband had tried to please her with the invitation, but she responded with what I interpreted as accusations that he didn't provide well enough for her. […]
Let's start with your first observation..."Beauty and posture are important as women are visual adornments only, chattel even."
To be honest, when I read that "women were no longer restricted by caste or rank" at this period in France - I thought that was a good thing. But then it was a good thing only for those with stunning beauty... Don't you think that is the same for women today? […]
One thing that struck me about Mathilde - she is behaving as if she is a single maiden. Her poor husband! He had all my sympathy reading this story! ] […] What on earth led her to believe that she deserved the things she dreamed of?
"Her husband had been sleeping since midnight in a little deserted anteroom with three other gentlemen whose wives were enjoying the ball."
Is de Maupassant attempting to present living breathing characters with whom we can empathize...or rather a commentary on the society in which he lives? Is there anything about this couple you can relate to?
If anyone, I pity the husband, though I don't understand him. Was he enjoying himself at the party? If the wife was expected to be the husband's accessory - do we see that here?
"Her husband had been sleeping since midnight in a little deserted anteroom with three other gentlemen whose wives were enjoying the ball." So, there were other husbands in the same situation! Is de Maupassant sympathetic to the women of his time - or their husbands?
Was his intent to amuse his readers with this story? He was a popular storyteller at the time - what effect do you think this story may have had on them?
"Never covet someone else’s riches for they may not be so valuable."What do you think de Maupassant was saying in this story?
The same hungry travelers who eagerly ate from her picnic basket, were so quick to put her down once fed, nourished and free to travel once again. The women were just as guilty of this as the men. […]What did you think of the story? Why do you think it appealed to his French readers when it first appeared?
"The basket was emptied. It still contained a pate de foie gras, a lark pie, a piece of smoked tongue, Crassane pears, Pont-Leveque gingerbread, fancy cakes, and a cup full of pickled gherkins and onions--Boule de Suif, like all women, being very fond of indigestible things.