The Necklace

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

The short story "The Necklace" by Guy De Maupassant takes place in France several hundred years ago. Mathilde Loisel lives in a flat with her husband, who works as a clerk for the Minister of Education. Their lives are not luxurious, but they are not poor, merely simple. Mathilde, however, longs to be rich. She envies her friend Jeanne who has a large house and lots of jewelry.

Watch 8 min video that summarizes the details. 

Today's plan:

- Goal

- The Necklace

- Discussion

- Grammar

- Speaking

Goals:

- I know what relative clauses, compound clauses and complex sentences are.

- I know the short story: The Necklace

- I can analyse The Necklace

- I know what symbolism means when talking about literary devices

Have you read The Necklace?

1. yes
2. no
3. yes but I don't remember everything

What is it about?

When did the rising action start for you?

What is the climax in the story?

Discuss with classmates. Are there different opinions?

Show 1 example of irony in the story

Irony

When Madame Loisel discovers that the necklace she and her husband have sacrificed so much to replace was actually a fake. This revelation is highly ironic because throughout the story, Madame Loisel and her husband endure years of hardship and poverty to pay off debts incurred from purchasing a replacement necklace, believing it to be a costly diamond piece.

What kind of irony?

Situational 

or

dramatic?

Discuss!

Situational irony

Situational irony occurs when the outcome of a situation is different from what is expected or intended. In the story, Madame Loisel and her husband go through great lengths and endure significant hardship to replace what they believe to be a valuable diamond necklace, only to discover later that the necklace was actually a cheap imitation.

Symbolism

Often writers refer to items which can symbolize something and has a certain meaning or message.

Can you give an example of symbolism in The Necklace?

Symbolism

Symbolism in The Necklace

One prominent symbol is the necklace itself, which symbolizes the theme of appearances versus reality and the consequences of pride and materialism.

External Conflict vs Internal Conflict

Trigger prior knowledge. 

Ask students whether they remember the difference. The superman example should help them. 

• External Conflict – a struggle between a literary character and outside force (other character/nature).

• Internal Conflict – a psychological struggle within the literary character’s mind.

Is poverty an internal or external conflict? And why?

Discuss their answers.

• External Conflict – a struggle between a literary character and outside force (other character/nature).

• Internal Conflict – a psychological struggle within the literary character’s mind.

Let them think about what poverty means.

Unable to afford a diamond necklace?

Go to the modiste every week to get a new dress?

How is this problem that the main character has related to gratitude? 

(Content &) Theme

What is the most prominent theme of "The Necklace"?

What is the text about?

What message is conveyed?

Theme – In a literary work, the theme is the central topic or message of the text.

• Usually, themes are not explicitly stated.

• The audience has to piece together the clues to discover the theme.

Interaction with the students: ask them to share their thoughts.

Probe them with below-written words.

Themes = 

Greed vs Generoristy 

Mathilde is greedy, but her husband and friend are very generous

The dichotomy of reality versus appearance

Necklace fake, appearance of wealth. Mathilde dresses and acts to appear wealthy, she is not

Honesty