As we are reading a segment of The Necklace in class, this is an essay which will describe and elaborate on ideas and

annotations made on the text relating to the characterization and personality of the characters. To begin, Matilda is (as an outline) what I believe to be a materialistic, jealous, and demanding character. On the other hand, we have Mr. Loisel (her husband) who is a overly altruistic, and weaker character who tends to be generous to a fault. In the next few paragraph I will describe Guy de Maupassant s technicalities of characterization, and the general personality of both characters. Matilda, in this story is a materialistic figure which may resemble some materialistic figures in modern society. She appears to never be satisfied and to ask a lot of her husband without considering his situation. In the novel, The Necklace Matilda is portrayed as a woman who has married a bourgeoisie class clerk with a simple, worker s life. However, she dreams of another world, in which she is presented with the ultimate luxuries, and splendors of jewelry and clothing. As she feels as though she belongs to a higher class, we see the development of events and characterization. For example, in paragraph two, the author begins by saying She dressed plainly because she could not dress well, but she was unhappy as if she had really fallen from a higher station . This quotation shows us that Maupassant is trying to portray a woman who felt as though she was of a higher social class. Further in the story (in paragraph three) the author states All those things, of which another woman of her rank would never have been conscious, tortured her and made her angry. The sight of the little Breton peasant who did her humble housework aroused in her despairing regrets and bewildering dreams. She thought of silent antechambers hung with Oriential tapestry . This description of her feelings tells the reader that the fact that she does not have a house like she would like with servants to serve her she is tortured and angered . This clearly states one element of her materialistic views.