In the short story The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant, there is much evidence that the loss of the necklace by Mathlide has in some way destroyed her life and constructed the beginning to build up her character up. There is one characteristic about her that describes her perfectly, and this characteristic makes the reader understand the reasoning behind some of the actions she takes part in throughout the story (5). She is a character who has much pride in her. It is her motivation to act accordingly throughout the story, and it is the key to her downfall. This is why the loss of the necklace, in a way, destroyed her life.
Mathlide's downfall comes into place when she does not tell Mrs. Forestier that she lost her necklace. She does not confess that she indeed has lost her necklace, and does not prostrate herself while pleading for forgiveness (2). She takes the responsibility for her mistakes by replacing Mrs. Forestier's necklace. De Maupassant shows her qualities in the introduction, the incident, and the poverty she endures. .
At the beginning of the story Mathlide's pride is so strong that she does not want to face reality (1). Reality meaning the husband she has, and the small household she resides in. In order to reject reality she turns to her dreams in which she had the life of ease and riches. Pride comes to place when she is complaining to her husband about the way they live and how she deserves more (3). When they discovered that they had been invited to a big party, she feels she must live up to her pride. Knowing without a doubt that they had no money, she wants to have a beautiful dress and along with the dress she gets a radiant necklace from Mrs. Forestier. .
The incident in which Mathlide loses the necklace plays an active role in her pride. She refuses to endure embarrassment by not telling Mrs. Forestier that she has lost her necklace, so she goes and replaces it. Her pride will not let her stoop so low to apologizing, and plead for forgiveness.
