the necklace

            In "The Necklace" Guy de Maupassant uses setting to reflect the character and development of the main figure, Madame Loisel. Mathilde's traits and the setting of the story share a similar relationship.
             The story opens with Mathilde being very unappeased with her dull apartment. She whines incessantly about the shabbiness of the walls, the repulsive curtains and the worn out chairs. She longs to be envied by other women and to be sought after by men. Her belongings in no way compare to her dreams. A life of luxury is what she prays for, but she lives a life of simplicity. She never does adjust to her status because she yearns for the things that are impossible for her to obtain. .
             Mathilde often dreams of what it would be like to be popular in her community. In her dreams, she always has her husband by her side, but all material things change. Her dreams contrast reality because it is unrealistic for her to obtain the things she wants, such as a big house with fine furniture and priceless jewelry. She is only a middle class figure in her society. Her husband, Monsieur Loisel, is merely an apprentice with no social status. He loves her unconditionally, but cannot provide her with the things she desires.
             Mathilde loses the necklace she borrowed and is forced to work for the money to replace it. The Loisels, together, pay off the debt, but they suffer the effects. They move into a lowly attic flat. Mathilde fires her maid and takes up the house work of the flat. For the first time in her life she gets her hands dirty. She also saves her sou and bargains with the street venders. The attic flat whips her into shape and helps her realize her rank in society. She is aware that she is a common peasant and that things can't go back to the way they were. By this section of the story, Mathilde is a common, .