The Necklace
By Guy de Maupassant
Chapter One – A Life She Did Not Want
Mathilde Loisel was a beautiful and charming young woman. But she was born into a poor family. Her father worked as a small clerk in the Ministry of Education. She had no rich relatives, no money, and no chance of marrying a wealthy man. So she married a man named Monsieur Loisel, a simple clerk who also worked in the Ministry.
Even though she lived a modest life, Mathilde always dreamed of something more. She imagined herself living in luxury, wearing beautiful dresses, and being admired by everyone. But in reality, she wore plain clothes and lived in a small apartment with old furniture and faded curtains.
Every day, she felt sad and angry about her life. When she looked at her poor home, she imagined large, beautiful rooms with golden decorations and expensive furniture. She dreamed of being invited to grand parties and having servants to wait on her.
Her husband, however, was happy with their life. He was kind and hardworking. Each night, he came home with a smile and enjoyed his simple dinner. He loved a good bowl of soup and never complained. But Mathilde was not satisfied. She believed she was born for a better life.
Mathilde had a rich friend, Madame Forestier, who once studied with her at school. Sometimes, she visited her, but every time she returned home, she felt even more unhappy. Seeing her friend’s rich clothes and lovely home made her feel poor and small.
Then one evening, Monsieur Loisel came home with excitement on his face. He held a large envelope in his hand.
“Here,” he said proudly. “Something special for you!”
Mathilde opened the envelope quickly. It was an invitation:
“The Minister of Public Instruction and Madame Georges Ramponneau
request the honor of M. and Madame Loisel’s company at the palace
of the Ministry on Monday evening, January 18.”
Her husband smiled, expecting her to be happy. But Mathilde threw the card on the table and said angrily, “What do you want me to do with this?”
He was surprised. “I thought you’d be happy! This is a rare chance. Everyone wants to go! Only a few clerks receive such invitations.”
But Mathilde said nothing. Then she looked at him and asked quietly, “And what am I supposed to wear?”
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary
- modest /ˈmɒd.ɪst/ — simple; not expensive or luxurious.
Example: “Even though she lived a modest life, Mathilde always dreamed of something more.” - admired /ədˈmaɪəd/ — respected or liked by many people.
Example: “She imagined herself being admired by everyone.” - decoration /ˌdek.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ — something used to make a place look attractive.
Example: “She imagined large, beautiful rooms with golden decorations.” - invitation /ˌɪn.vɪˈteɪ.ʃən/ — a written request to attend an event.
Example: “It was an invitation.” - luxury /ˈlʌk.ʃər.i/ — great comfort and expensive things.
Example: “She imagined herself living in luxury, wearing beautiful dresses.” - faded /ˈfeɪ.dɪd/ — having lost its original color.
Example: “She lived in a small apartment with old furniture and faded curtains.” - satisfied /ˈsæt.ɪs.faɪd/ — happy with what you have.
Example: “But Mathilde was not satisfied.” - rare /reə(r)/ — unusual and not common.
Example: “This is a rare chance.”
Chapter Two – The Borrowed Necklace
Mathilde’s husband was shocked by her reaction to the invitation. He asked gently,
“Why don’t you wear the dress you wear to the theater? It looks nice.”
But Mathilde began to cry. Two tears rolled down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” he asked softly.
She wiped her face and said in a quiet voice, “I have no dress for a party like this. I can’t go. Just give the card to a colleague whose wife is better dressed.”
Her husband didn’t want her to miss this chance. He thought for a moment and then said, “How much would a suitable dress cost—something simple that you could wear again?”
Mathilde thought carefully. She didn’t want to ask for too much. Finally, she said, “I think I could buy a nice dress for 400 francs.”
Monsieur Loisel turned pale. That was the exact amount he had saved to buy a gun for a summer hunting trip with his friends. But he wanted Mathilde to be happy. He smiled and said, Very well. I will give you 400 francs. Please buy a beautiful dress.”
Mathilde was overjoyed. She bought a lovely gown and prepared for the ball. But as the day came closer, she began to look sad again. One evening, her husband asked,
“What’s the matter now? You have a dress.”
She replied, “It annoys me that I have no jewelry, not even one piece. I’ll look poor compared to the other women.”
“You could wear some fresh flowers,” he suggested. “They’re fashionable now, and only cost ten francs.”
“No,” she said firmly. “Nothing is more embarrassing than looking poor among rich women.”
Her husband suddenly had an idea.
“Why not go to Madame Forestier and ask to borrow some jewelry? You’re close friends.”
Mathilde’s face lit up.
“You’re right! I never thought of that.”
The next day, she visited her rich friend and explained her problem. Madame Forestier smiled, opened a large jewelry box, and said, “Choose anything you like.”
Mathilde’s eyes sparkled. She tried on bracelets, a pearl necklace, and a gold cross with gems. But nothing seemed good enough.
“Do you have anything else?” she asked.
“Look again,” Madame Forestier said kindly.
Suddenly, Mathilde saw a stunning diamond necklace in a black satin box. Her heart beat fast. Her hands trembled as she picked it up. She placed it around her neck and looked in the mirror.
“Will you lend me this one?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“Of course,” said Madame Forestier.
Mathilde hugged her friend and ran home, full of joy and excitement. She felt like her dreams were finally coming true.
Chapter 2 – Vocabulary
- shocked /ʃɒkt/ — very surprised.
Example: “Mathilde’s husband was shocked by her reaction to the invitation.” - pale /peɪl/ — having a light color because of fear, shock, or worry.
Example: “Monsieur Loisel turned pale.” - fashionable /ˈfæʃ.ən.ə.bəl/ — popular and modern in style.
Example: “They’re fashionable now, and only cost ten francs.” - sparkled /ˈspɑː.kəld/ — shone with small bright flashes of light.
Example: “Mathilde’s eyes sparkled.”
- suitable /ˈsuː.tə.bəl/ — right or appropriate for a particular purpose.
Example: “How much would a suitable dress cost?” - overjoyed /ˌəʊ.vəˈdʒɔɪd/ — extremely happy.
Example: “Mathilde was overjoyed.” - embarrassing /ɪmˈbær.ə.sɪŋ/ — making someone feel ashamed.
Example: “Nothing is more embarrassing than looking poor among rich women.” - stunning /ˈstʌn.ɪŋ/ — extremely beautiful or impressive.
Example: “Mathilde saw a stunning diamond necklace in a black satin box.”
Chapter 2 – Grammar Exercises
Chapter 1 – Comprehension Questions
1. What kind of family was Mathilde born into?
She was born into a poor family.
2. What did Mathilde often dream about?
:She dreamed of living in luxury, wearing beautiful dresses, and being admired by everyone.
3. Why did visiting Madame Forestier make Mathilde unhappy?
Because her friend’s wealth and beautiful home made Mathilde feel poor and dissatisfied.
4. Why was Monsieur Loisel excited about the invitation? Because it was a rare opportunity to attend an important party at the Ministry.
5. What was Monsieur Loisel’s job?
He worked as a clerk in the Ministry of Education.
6. How did Mathilde feel about her apartment?
She felt unhappy and dissatisfied with its modest furnishings.
7. What special thing did Monsieur Loisel bring home?
He brought home an invitation to a party at the Ministry.
8. What was Mathilde’s first concern after reading the invitation?
She worried about what she would wear to the party.
Chapter 1 – Grammar Exercises
1. Mathilde was born into a poor family. (B)
2. Monsieur Loisel worked as a clerk in the Ministry. (C)
3. The invitation was brought by her husband. (B)
4. Her husband was excited about the invitation. (C)
5. She dreamed of a luxurious life every day. (A)
6. Mathilde wasn’t satisfied with her life. (A)
7. Mathilde visited her rich friend sometimes. (B)
8. What was Mathilde worried about? (B)
Chapter 2 – Comprehension Questions
1. Why was Monsieur Loisel shocked? Because Mathilde was unhappy about receiving the invitation.
2. How much money did Mathilde ask for? She asked for 400 francs.
3. Why did he agree to give Mathilde the money? Because he wanted her to be happy and attend the party.
4. What idea did Monsieur Loisel suggest? He suggested that Mathilde borrow jewelry from Madame Forestier.
5. Why did Mathilde begin to cry?
Because she had no suitable dress for such an important party.
6. What had Monsieur Loisel planned to buy with his savings?
He had planned to buy a gun for a summer hunting trip with his friends.
7. What problem did Mathilde have after buying the dress?
She had no jewelry to wear with it and feared looking poor among the rich women.
8. Which piece of jewelry did Mathilde choose? She chose a beautiful diamond necklace.
Chapter 2 – Grammar Exercises
1. Mathilde cried when she thought about the party. (B)
2. Monsieur Loisel gave her 400 francs. (C)
3. The money was saved for a hunting trip. (A)
4. Mathilde bought a beautiful dress. (B)
5. Madame Forestier opened her jewelry box. (C)
6. Mathilde tried on several pieces of jewelry. (C)
7. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. (B)
8. She chose the diamond necklace. (C)
