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The Necklace

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A theme that can be found in these two short stories are wealth. In The Necklace, wealth is a theme that the author uses when he describes Mathilde’s history, fantasies, and jealousy against wealthy people. The author talks about Mathilde’s history and how she lacked wealth. The narrator, writes “She was one of those pretty and charming girls, born by a blunder of destiny in a family of employees. She had no dowry, no expectations, no means of being known, understood, loved, married by a man rich and distinguished” (Maupassant 1884). This demonstrates that Mathilde is destined to be rich, yet rather is naturally introduced to neediness. The quote implies that Mathilde needs a more than what she has. Mathilde fantasizes about riches. The narrator …show more content…

This causes imagery in the readers mind by making the reader imagine what Mathilde is thinking and it shows that she spends her time day dreaming about being rich. Mathilde was desirous of rich individuals to be particular Mathilde was envious of her wealthy …show more content…

In terms of personality they are total opposites of each other. Della from The Gift of the Magi is as selfless and adoring wife who treasures her husband and yet Mathilde from The Necklace does not care about anyone’s emotions and wishes except her own. Both of these women complain about their financial position, but Della complains about money only because she want to get a present for Jim. The narrator proves this by saying, “Only one dollar and eighty-seven cents to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim” (Henry 1906). Contrarily, Mathilde takes part in self-indulgence in light of the fact that she can't bear the cost of things for herself: the narrator states this, “She grieved incessantly, feeling that she had been born for all the little niceties and luxuries of living” (Maupassant 1884). After Della sells her hair she obtains twenty dollars to purchase Jim's Present, she is ecstatic and fulfilled because now she can buy a Christmas present for Jim. But, when Monsieur Loisel tells Mathilde that they are invited to a high class party, she demonstrates no gratitude; instead, she whines that she doesn't have anything to wear. Monsieur Loisel selflessly gives the money he had kept aside for his rifle to his wife to spend on the dress. Mathilde communicates no thankfulness; rather, she later cries that she has no jewelry to wear with the dress. It is clear in The Necklace that Mathilde places material

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