Your teacher will grade your response to question 16 to ensure that you receive proper credit for your answers. Choose one selection from the unit and describe the cause and effect of the characters' (or the narrator's) values contained in each. The selections are listed below for your reference. "The Gift of the Magi" "Fabric of Their Lives" "To Be of Use" "I Hear America Singing" "The Necklace"
"The Necklace"
In "The Necklace," the cause of Madame Loisel's desire for wealth and status leads to the effect of her deception and eventual downfall. Madame Loisel is constantly dissatisfied with her life because she believes she deserves more than what she has. This desire for a more luxurious lifestyle leads her to borrow a necklace from her wealthy friend to wear to a party, only to lose it and go into debt trying to replace it. The obsession with appearances and social status ultimately backfires on Madame Loisel, resulting in a life of poverty and regret. This story emphasizes the destructive nature of materialism and the importance of being content with what one has.