06301030054
Edwina Zhang
June 21, 2007
Timed Writing Three
Direction: From The Necklace, what might have been the quality of Mme. Loisel's life if she had not lost the necklace? Is her life better of worse now?
In the story The Necklace, Guy de Maupassant tells a story of how a vain woman pursues for luxuries and how her dream vanishes. Mathilde, the main character, was wife of a little clerk. Her charming appearance endues her with born vanity. She feels superior to women of the same class.
Mathilde's life was changed due to the loss of necklace. She took her responsibility all in a sudden, never dreaming of delicacies any more. The heavy burden of paying for debt reduced her to an impoverished housewife.
The loss of necklace is a key plot of the novel. Readers cannot help but ask the same question: If she did not lose the necklace, what might have been the quality of Mathilde's life? According to her personality, she will keep her pursuit for joining the upper class, endlessly. Mahilde enjoys being introduced and remarked by others. She feels pleased to be envied and sought after. Her born vanity drives her to reach the goal. At that ball in Minister's house, Mathilde indulged herself with endless round of dance. Apparently she feels made for that.
Without the tragic lesson Mathilde will not know the horrible need of life. If she does not lose the necklace, how can she place herself on a right position that she does not have capital for delicacies? The loss enables her to see her life clearly.
Therefore, Mathilde's life will not be changed without the terrible incident. She may still long for great balls and enjoy her brilliance, leading an intangible and meaningless life.
Compared with her endless pursuit, is her life better now? What if she did not lose the necklace? Ten years housework has washed up her beauty. She is not that graceful Mathile any more. It can be regarded as a tragedy, for Mathilde lost her charm and she suffered a lot only to find it meaningless. With the money she owned for ten years, won't she lead a peaceful and joyful life?
However, Mathilde gains something more precious than her loss. She becomes more courageous and more understandable after taking her part. She comes to know the hard way of earning money and the horrible need of life. Her vanity disappeared thanks to the heavy burden. From her inner soul, she matures and never daydreams as a simple girl. In spite of the fact she is not beautiful any more in her appearance, Mathilde develops valuable characters. From this perspective, Mathilde is leading a better life now.
