When Mathilde finds herself in debt, she becomes heroic. How? In the story The Necklace .
In the story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, Mathilde is depicted as a young woman who is unsatisfied with her modest life and constantly yearns for wealth and luxury. However, after borrowing a necklace from a wealthy friend and losing it, Mathilde finds herself in significant debt. It is in this moment of hardship that she undergoes a transformation, and in a way, becomes heroic.
To understand how Mathilde becomes heroic in the story, you need to consider her actions and the changes that occur within her character. Here's a breakdown of Mathilde's transformation:
1. Accepting Responsibility: When Mathilde loses her friend's necklace, she recognizes that she is solely responsible for the loss. Instead of denying or avoiding her mistake, she chooses to admit her fault and takes responsibility for her actions.
2. Making Sacrifices: In order to replace the necklace, Mathilde and her husband make great financial sacrifices. They sell their possessions, borrow money, and even live in poverty to repay the debt. This demonstrates Mathilde's willingness to make personal sacrifices for the sake of fulfilling her obligations.
3. Working Hard: To repay the debt, Mathilde takes up various jobs and goes through years of hard work. She becomes a diligent and resilient worker, despite her previous disdain for physical labor. This highlights her transformation from a woman who dreams of an easy and luxurious life to someone who is willing to work hard to rectify her mistake.
4. Learning the Value of Honesty: Through her experiences, Mathilde learns the importance of honesty and integrity. She realizes that the initial deception of borrowing a valuable necklace without disclosing it to her friend ultimately led to her downfall. This realization shapes her character and contributes to her transformation.
While Mathilde's actions can be seen as redeeming and heroic in the context of her personal growth, it is important to note that her heroic qualities arise from her own mistakes and the consequences she faces as a result.
1. How do you define "heroic"?
2. Have you read the story?