It does not perform any other function except as being visually pleasing and giving luxury to the owner. Just as women in the 19th century, it is an accessory.

In either case, Mathilde ruins her reasonably comfortable life for a piece of jewelry that isn’t worth it.Īdditionally, the necklace symbolizes Mathilde herself. Or because she wants to be perceived as more prosperous than she is. It might be because she doesn’t care about the value of the jewelry. Her friend, Madame Forestier, hides the real value of the necklace. Unfortunately, that’s all it is-a fancy exterior with nothing underneath. The borrowed necklace is elegant, and it gives the perfect opportunity to be the woman she wants, at least for one night. Madame Loisel is not satisfied with the way her apartment or clothes look. The connection between wealth and appearance can tell a lot. In that case, the necklace can undoubtedly represent the wealth in the story-showy but fake. Mathilde’s objects of desire are wealth and recognition.

She is confident that an expensive piece of jewelry will bring her closer to a higher society. Mathilde borrows it to appear as someone she’s not. From her perspective, an expensive-looking necklace is the embodiment of social status and class. Mathilde cannot even tell the real value of that piece of jewelry. The necklace is beautiful and looks expensive. It symbolizes the idea that looks can be deceiving. One of the symbolism examples in the story is the necklace that Madame Loisel borrows from Madame Forestier.

Maupassant the necklace