Topic > What is the theme of "The Necklace": the slavery of material wealth

Imagine if all people could have everything they ever wanted in this world? Materialistic possessions can make a person feel comfortable, but they can also cause unhappiness. This theme can be found in literature as well as in real life. For example, if you ask "what is the theme of 'The Necklace'?" you will find that Guy de Maupassant wrote about the deceptive nature of appearances and the pursuit of material wealth. But before delving into the theme of the story it is necessary to define the term 'materialism'. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay What is materialism, you may ask? Materialism is the philosophy that everything can be explained in terms of matter, or the idea that possessions and wealth are the most important things. The things we need are mandatory to continue our day or week. The things we want are not what we always need. Materialism can bring comfort to many people in certain situations such as feeling vulnerable, sad, and even depressed. But when you become comfortable with materialism you can begin to understand later in life that it can lead to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Returning to the main theme of "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, the author shows how deceptive human nature can be. appearances and what strong desire we can have towards material wealth. The story revolves around a woman named Mathilde Loisel, who is dissatisfied with her modest social status and desires a life of luxury and opulence. When she borrows a seemingly exquisite necklace from a wealthy friend to wear at a prestigious event, she inadvertently loses it, and instead of confessing, she and her husband go into debt to replace it. However, they eventually discover that the necklace was simply an imitation, revealing the irony of their relentless pursuit of material wealth. According to the fictional story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant it is said: "She had no clothes, no jewels, nothing; and these were the only things she loved. She felt she was made only for them. She wanted so much to charm, to be envied, desired and sought after.” This quote shows that Madame Loisel loves material possessions such as jewelery and expensive clothes. Madame Loisel feels that she needs elegant clothes and objects because it is the only thing that makes her feel loved and happy. This can lead her to lose confidence in herself because she knows she cannot have elegant clothes and expensive jewelry, so she feels troubled without them. Through the character of Mathilde, Maupassant explores the idea that outward appearances can be deceiving socializing with the rich will increase her social status and bring her happiness. However, the necklace itself proves to be of little value, highlighting the futility of her aspirations and the ultimate emptiness of material possessions. The theme of the pursuit of material wealth is further emphasized as Mathilde and her husband suffer the consequences of their actions. They are burdened with heavy debts and are forced to live a life of hardship and toil, in contrast to the temporary glamor and illusion of wealth they sought to achieve. This emphasizes the idea that the pursuit of material possessions can lead to ruin and dissatisfaction, rather than true happiness. Ultimately, “The Necklace” serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of valuing material wealth over personal fulfillment and the deceptive nature of social expectations. . Emphasizes the importance of appreciating one's circumstances and finding inner fulfillment, rather than placing undue importance on appearances and possessions.