tell the whole "The necklace" by Guy de Maupassant
"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is a short story set in late 19th-century France. It tells the story of Madame Mathilde Loisel, a middle-class woman who longs for a life of luxury and wealth. Despite being married to a clerk at the Ministry of Education, Mathilde is dissatisfied with her modest lifestyle.
One day, Mathilde's husband brings home an invitation to a prestigious ball at the Ministry. Excited about this opportunity to enter into the high society, Mathilde immediately starts worrying about her appearance and the lack of expensive jewelry. She believes that without exquisite jewels, she will be the laughingstock of the event.
In desperation, Mathilde borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from her rich friend, Madame Jeanne Forestier. On the night of the ball, Mathilde looks stunning with her new necklace, but deep down, she knows the borrowed jewelry could bring her misfortune.
At the ball, Mathilde dances and enjoys her time, feeling like she finally belongs among the upper class. However, the night takes a turn when Mathilde and her husband return home and realize that the necklace is missing. They search frantically but fail to find it. Panic-stricken, they decide to buy an identical necklace and replace it, hoping that their friend won't notice the difference.
To buy the new necklace, the couple plunges themselves into debt and lives a miserable life for the next ten years. They eke out a living, overworking themselves and even moving to a smaller apartment. Mathilde loses her beauty and youth due to hard labor and struggles, becoming a mere shadow of the once beautiful woman she was.
One day, Mathilde happens to meet Madame Forestier again in the street. She tells her about the necklace and their never-ending struggle to repay the debt incurred from the lost necklace. To Mathilde's surprise, Madame Forestier reveals that the original necklace she lent her was a fake, worth only a few francs. Mathilde and her husband suffer all those years to replace a worthless item.
"The Necklace" is a cautionary tale that explores the themes of materialism, social status, and the consequences of choices. Mathilde Loisel's desire for material possessions and societal status leads her down a path of ruin, emphasizing the importance of being content and grateful for what one possesses.