The Necklace by Guy De Maupassant

"The Necklace" is a short story written by Guy De Maupassant. Mathilde Liosel is the main character in this story. This analysis of the fictional element of character provides a better understanding of the protagonist and thus a better comprehension of the story's plot. Mathilde Loisel is portrayed as being manipulative, a dreamer, and arrogant.

Mathilde Loisel is very manipulative. One example of her manipulation begins when she claims she has nothing to wear and therefore can't go to the party (6). This is a good opportunity for her to get a new dress. Mr. Loisel asks her how much will the new dress cost. "I don't know exactly, but it seems to that I could get for around four hundred francs" (6). The manipulation continues when she complains about not having any nice jewelry (7). She uses every opportunity to manipulate her husband to get the things she desires.

Mathide's most predominate characteristics is that she is a dreamer. She suffers constantly; feeling herself destined for all delicacies and luxuries life has to offer (5). She daydreams about large, silent anterooms decorated with oriental tapestries and lighted with bronze lamps (5). She has imaginations of the perfume dainty rooms designed for the closest of friends (5). Her imagination continues as she dreams of having expensive banquet rooms with shinning place settings, wall hangings portraying ancient heroes and exotic birds (5). She dreams of wealth and how other women would envy her if she has all the finer things.

Mathilde Loisel is a very arrogant woman. Her pride would not allow her to wear anything but the best. Her husband offered to buy her a corsage in place of the jewelry she did not own. Mathilde is convinced "there is nothing more humiliating then looking shabby in the company of