"The Necklace" Literary Analysis
"The Necklace" is one of Guy de Maupassant's most popular works. Guy de Maupassant, a famous author from the 1800's, is deemed the father of modern short stories. This short story provides great example of situational irony. Situational irony is when the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what is expected.
There are two major examples of this irony:
1) When Mme. Loisel receives a sought after invitation to the evening reception at the Ministeriel Mansion, she became angry and scornful, not even a bit excited over the invitation to a high-class social event.
2) When Mme. Loisel learns that Mme. Forestier's diamond neckace was an imitaion, not even worth 500 francs.
Both of these examples show the literary term of situational irony being used. When Mme. Loisel receives the invitation, the reader expects her to be ecstatic, as her social position is improving. Her social status improving is what she always wanted and dreamed of. When this dream comes true, she is depressed, angry, and scornful, which is the exact opposite reaction the reader expects. Also, M. and Mme. Loisel, after losing the diamond necklace, spend ten years trying to pay off a debt of 36,000 francs on a new necklace for Mme. Forestier. At the end of the story, it is revealed that the diamond necklace was not even worth 500 francs, which is the opposite of what the reader expects.
Situational irony thickens the plot or adds plot twists. These additions to the plot, allow the story to continue to become more interesting. When Mme. Loisel is displeased with her position and being invited to the party, I became more interested as I thought I had a clear concept of her character and her values. Guy de Maupassant's use of irony created an interesting, creative, and very ironic ending that stressed Mme. Loisel's fatal flaw. He demonstrated to me how important irony is to a story when used correctly..
There are two major examples of this irony:
1) When Mme. Loisel receives a sought after invitation to the evening reception at the Ministeriel Mansion, she became angry and scornful, not even a bit excited over the invitation to a high-class social event.
2) When Mme. Loisel learns that Mme. Forestier's diamond neckace was an imitaion, not even worth 500 francs.
Both of these examples show the literary term of situational irony being used. When Mme. Loisel receives the invitation, the reader expects her to be ecstatic, as her social position is improving. Her social status improving is what she always wanted and dreamed of. When this dream comes true, she is depressed, angry, and scornful, which is the exact opposite reaction the reader expects. Also, M. and Mme. Loisel, after losing the diamond necklace, spend ten years trying to pay off a debt of 36,000 francs on a new necklace for Mme. Forestier. At the end of the story, it is revealed that the diamond necklace was not even worth 500 francs, which is the opposite of what the reader expects.
Situational irony thickens the plot or adds plot twists. These additions to the plot, allow the story to continue to become more interesting. When Mme. Loisel is displeased with her position and being invited to the party, I became more interested as I thought I had a clear concept of her character and her values. Guy de Maupassant's use of irony created an interesting, creative, and very ironic ending that stressed Mme. Loisel's fatal flaw. He demonstrated to me how important irony is to a story when used correctly..
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