Literacy Analysis Essay

The Necklace Name Institutional affiliation The Necklace Introduction The Necklace is a short story by Guy de Maupassant that was first published in 1884 by a Parisian magazine named the Gil Blas. The narratives original title was La Parure, which translates to a set of jewels, usually worn together. The necklace revolves around the themes of happiness and materialism. Mathilde Loisel was beautiful but born into a poor family. She had no chance of moving to a higher class because she could not afford the dowry and therefore lives in despair. Her husbands efforts to make her happy through loving gestures are in vain because Loisel is convinced that she was too beautiful to be living in poverty. She however understands the true meaning of happiness when she moves to a lower class than her previous after losing her expensive borrowed necklace. Through the interaction of Loisel with other characters, Maupassant also brings out minor themes such as discontent, sacrifice, happiness and humility. He does so by contrasting Loisels view of life from the views of other characters in the story. Juxtaposition Contrast, also known as juxtaposition is a powerful tool in literature. It refers to the style of placing