What is the moral in 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant?

Answer 1

1. It is important to live within one's means

The story teaches us not to borrow things or money unnecessarily. It is also not wise to live a pretentious life. If we borrow money unnecessarily, then we may get into serious trouble, especially if it involves loan sharks or in responsible money lenders. In the story, Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace so that she is able to impress the others at the ball. However, the necklace is lost. As a result, Loisel and she have to replace the necklace. They have to borrow money to buy the necklace. The repayment rates are high, both Mathilde and her compound interests accumulate. Loisel has to do multiple jobs to repay the loan or they will get into serious financial problems. We must realize that it is important to live within one's means.

2. It is important to be contented in life and not to be greedy

The story teaches us be contented in life and not to be greedy to want everything. Loisel is very contented in life even if he leads a simple life with the income he earns. But on the other hand, Mathilde is obsessed to want all the delicacies and luxuries in life. This causes her to be in her own world and day dreams that she is wealthy and famous. This causes her to be status-conscious, and show to others that she is not poor. As a result, she wants to dress up in beautiful clothing and borrows a diamond necklace to attend the evening ball. Her greed causes them to suffer for a period of ten years. If she is contented with what she has and is realistic of the fact that she is the wife of an ordinary clerk, she would not have to borrow the necklace in the first place.

3. It is important to be practical

The story teaches us to be practical and learn to solve problems carefully. Loisel is a down-to-earth person. He knows that "all that glitters is not gold" and live life according to his means and capacity. He is able to find solutions to the problems because he is practical. It is important in life to be practical and realistic. Mathilde, on the other hand, is not practical. She is a day-dreamer, who is in her own world. Later in the story, Mathilde beomces practical as she faces the realities of life. It is important to be practical and not be carried away.