Writing an essay can be a challenge, and the very first stage is often the most difficult one. If you need help coming up with an eye-catching essay idea, you’ve come to the right place.
Our custom-writing experts have prepared a list of “The Necklace” essay prompts and topics to choose from. You will also find here plenty of essay samples that will inspire you.
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The Necklace Essay Topics
- Explore the examples of personification in “The Necklace”.
Define this figurative language technique and how the author uses it in the story. Why did the author use this one? Provide examples of the personification from the text. Write down full quotes where it reveals itself. - What are the examples of irony and foreshadowing in “The Necklace”?
Define the foreshadowing and irony. Why does the author use both of these techniques? What kind of irony is used in the story? Provide examples and foreshadowing in full sentences, as used in the original text. Explain each example. - Do you think Madame Loisel is responsible for her downfall? Why/why not?
Write an opinion paper that will focus on whether Madame Loisel is responsible for the tragedy. State arguments and support them with quotes from the text. - What are the examples of alliteration in “The Necklace”?
What is alliteration? What author is trying to demonstrate and emphasize in the story? Give examples of sentences in which alliteration is used. Explore each example. - Essential themes in “The Necklace”.
Write an essay about class conflict, appearance and reality, and generosity and greed. What are the examples of each theme? Provide direct quotes from the text. Mention the examples of symbolism: the diamond necklace and the mirror. - In your opinion, why was Madame Loisel not satisfied with her life?
Write a reflection paper that will focus on why Mathilde was unhappy with her life at the beginning of the short story. Share your opinion on whether you think M. Loisel was more satisfied with their life later. Why/why not? - What is the conclusion of “The Necklace”?
How did Madame Forestier react to Mathilde’s story about the changed necklace? Was the ending ironic? What is the general moral of the story? Explore “The Necklace” and give answers to these questions. - What were efforts made to return the necklace to the owner?
Describe in your own words what the Loisels took actions to return the necklace. The essay should include two things: the process of replacing the jewels and the period after. Include the information on how the life of Loisels changes when they return the brand new necklace to the owner. - Do you think the story ended in the right way? What could have Loisels done differently to avoid the ten-year-long poverty?
Write an opinion essay about whether or not the story ended in the right way. If yes, provide arguments to support that the story ended correctly. If not, suggest what would be the better ending for the story.
The Necklace Discussion Questions
- Why is deception the central theme of “The Necklace”?
- What human vices can the reader see through Mathilde?
- What are the main Marxist ideas in the story?
- What do “Gift of the Magi” and “The Necklace” have in common?
- How is materialism represented in Maupassant’s story?
- Are men set up for unrealistically high expectations in “The Necklace”?
- How does reality compare to appearance in the story?
- How does Maupassant’s story relate to social class and ideology?
- How is the importance of wealth portrayed in “The Necklace”?
- Is Mathilde a heroine or an anti-heroine?
- How does the protagonist use lies throughout the story?
- How are pessimism and frustration embodied in “The Necklace”?
The Necklace Writing Prompts
Mathilde Loisel Character Analysis Essay Prompt
Mathilde Loisel’s character analysis can revolve around her personality traits, relationships, and desperate attempts to change her destiny.
Here’s what you can write about:
- Mathilde’s jealousy and its consequences. The protagonist’s jealousy is so bad that, at one point, she couldn’t even leave the house because her outfit wasn’t good enough. In your essay, try to determine whether Mathilde’s lies and greed are responsible for all the suffering in her life.
- How does Mathilde perceive appearance? The story’s protagonist is obsessed with appearing wealthy in other people’s eyes. Expensive outfits and jewelry are nothing more to her than a status symbol. In your essay, explain why this character trait brings her so much misery.
- Why Mathilde is trapped by life circumstances. The story’s protagonist always complains about how fate failed her. Indeed, as a woman in the 19th century married a middle-class man, she had no other option. Since her struggles are caused by something she cannot control, can we really blame her for striving for a better life?
The Necklace Analysis Essay Prompts
Mathilde’s struggles may be hard to understand at first, but if you thoroughly analyze the story, it will all become much clearer. We suggest focusing your analysis on the themes and symbols found in “The Necklace”:
- Describe the issue of appearance vs. reality as the running theme of the story. The main character refuses to accept things as they are. Nothing matters more to her than status symbols. Your essay can provide more details regarding the power that objects hold, according to Mathilde.
- The necklace as a symbol of deception. The titular piece of jewelry represents the split between perception and reality, which became detrimental for Mathilde. The necklace only appears genuine, yet it still enhances the authority and power of whoever wears it.
The Necklace Moral Lesson Essay Prompts
“The Necklace” has several moral lessons that you can research. Need help deciding what to focus on? Check out our prompts:
- Why we should find joy in what we have: the case of Mathilde Loisel. One of the story’s central ideas is that we should be grateful for what we have. The main character of “The Necklace” gets consumed by jealousy of women from a more privileged social class. She thinks of her lower status as a mistake of fate. However, instead of trying to change the situation, she only tries to fix the appearance. Is this approach worth it?
- The deceptiveness of appearance in “The Necklace.” The protagonist suffers greatly all her life due to her own greed and jealousy. Later, she has to pay off a debt for ten years. And she goes through all that only to create an image of wealth. Was it worth it? Answer this question and use evidence to support your position.
The Necklace Symbolism Essay Prompt
One of the story’s main messages relates to the power that objects can have over people. This is shown through the titular necklace, which ruins the main character’s life.
You can research this exciting topic with the help of the following prompts:
- Power of objects and symbolism in “The Necklace.” It’s not a surprise that the central symbol in “The Necklace” is… the necklace. It represents the power, wealth, and authority one can get simply by wearing it. But is the symbolism of this piece of jewelry as straightforward as it seems?
- What symbolizes the division between appearance and reality in Maupassant’s story? Simply because the necklace is worn by Madame Forestier, it gives Mathilde the impression that it must be authentic. When Mathilde borrows it to wear and show off later, she feels powerful and wealthy. In her mind, everyone around her believes in it, too. Why? Answer this question in your essay!
The Theme of Pride in Maupassant’s The Necklace Essay Prompt
Feel free to use our prompts to discuss the theme of pride in the short story:
- Mathilde Loisel as the personification of pride. Mathilde is a proud and self-absorbed woman. Even though there are plenty of people in her social circle whose status is above hers, she looks down on everyone. In your essay, answer the question: are Mathilde and her husband more suited for humble existence as a middle-class couple?
- Mathilde Loisel’s lack of personal development. The story’s main character might have shown some changes, but pride stays with her till the end. Even losing the expensive necklace could not hurt her pride. What does her example reveal to us about human nature?
The Necklace Characterization Essay Prompt
Another idea for an essay is to elaborate on direct and indirect characterization in “The Necklace.” For example, focus on Mathilde’s personality and see how the other portrays her directly and indirectly.
Here are a couple of prompts to guide you:
- Direct characterization in Maupassant’s story. Is the first impression of the character actually correct? At first glance, Mathilde appears to be exactly as described – a beautiful and charming young woman. You can trace how her personality is gradually revealed in the story and compare it to the direct characterization from its beginning.
- How is indirect characterization shown in “The Necklace”? Indirect characterization gives the readers a more profound insight into Mathilde’s personality. The author doesn’t state it outright, yet he successfully conveys that the story’s protagonist is self-centered. For example, her true nature shows when she refuses to visit her more successful friend. Find other instances of indirect characterization and analyze them.
Examples of Topic Sentences for The Necklace Essays
A topic sentence is the first sentence in a body paragraph that encapsulates its central idea. You can think of it as a mini-thesis statement. Topic sentences are essential for your essay’s logical flow, but it can be challenging to write them.
To make this task easier, use the following examples of topic sentences for various “The Necklace”-related essays:
Topic: How jealousy shapes Mathilde’s personality.
- Body paragraph 1: Mathilde’s greed for other people’s wealth makes her a bitter person who cannot appreciate what she has.
- Body paragraph 2: Mathilde’s jealousy ruins not only her own life but also the life of her husband, who constantly makes sacrifices to satisfy her demands.
- Body paragraph 3: Continuous comparison and jealousy eventually rob Mathilde of the joy and fun she could have had if she considered herself worthy.
Topic: The role of women in the 19th century as shown in “The Necklace”
- Body paragraph 1: As a woman living in the 19th century, Mathilde could only engage in a limited number of activities, such as social gatherings, dancing, and art.
- Body paragraph 2: Mathilde’s inability to fulfill herself in any of the “feminine” activities due to her financial situation while forced to watch them from the outside becomes one of the story’s central conflicts.
- Body paragraph 3: Frustrated by the society that seems to be moving forward without her, Mathilde decides to use her appearance to achieve her dreams.
Topic: Irony in “The Necklace”
- Body paragraph 1: Irony is a literary device that highlights the striking and sometimes humorous differences between reality and expectations.
- Body paragraph 2: One great example of the irony is that the story’s characters are blissfully unaware that they are struggling to pay off a fake necklace.
- Body paragraph 3: Another instance of irony is Mathilde’s chase of a beautiful appearance, which causes her to lose her youth and beauty.
- Body paragraph 4: The most noticeable ironic element is that Mathilde’s old life starts to seem luxurious compared to what happens when the Loisels lose everything they had.
The Necklace Essay Samples
In this section, you can find essay samples and short descriptions. Take a look at those, get inspired, and create your own!
- Character Portrayal: “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
Guy de Maupassant tells Mathilde’s story, who dreams of wealth and status but is trapped in poverty and a humble background. The paper provides Mathilde’s character’s roundness by describing her personality, motivations, and relationships. You’ll see essential conflicts and how the characters change. Mathilde is suggested to be a perfect person to convey a message about greed and vanity based on the described information. - Metamorphosis and the Necklace
Melancholy is a long-term negative feeling that can have some negative consequences. The present essay compares and contrasts The Necklace with Kafka’s Metamorphosis. Both literary works show the connection between melancholy and death. However, both pieces interpret death due to melancholy differently. - Irony in The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
Guy de Maupassant builds “The Necklace” on irony. In particular, the author uses four types: dramatic, situational, verbal, and structural irony. Sounds interesting? Check the essay to learn more about humor in the story. - The Role on Women as Portrayed in The Necklace
The Necklace reflects real life in 19th-century France. Besides, it shows the place of a woman in a social hierarchy at that time. In this essay, you’ll see what female characters of “The Necklace” and their behavior tell us about the period. - Modern Fairy Tale: How The Necklace Tricks the Reader
The distinctive features of Guy De Maupassant’s writing style make his story “The Necklace” unique and full of unveiled tricks. Reading this essay can help you to discover them. Plus, learn about the symbolism and the hidden context of the story. - Character Analysis of Madame Loisel
Mathilde Loisel is the central character of “The Necklace”. She is the woman of inner contradictions and controversies. She desires to live an aristocratic lifestyle instead of accepting her real average life. Read this essay to discover her personality and understand her motifs. - The Theme of Deception in The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
“The Necklace” is a demonstration of two deception manners: clever dishonesty and open hypocrisy. How do both of them affect public perception and turn into serious social problems? Check out this essay and discover the moral of the story. - The Necklace From the Marxist Theory Perspective
In this essay, you’ll discover why Guy de Maupassant blames society for the main character’s downfall. Mathilde attempts to fix her fate, but inequality and class conflict stand in her way. Would she be able to fulfill her dreams if it wasn’t for social injustice? - “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant: McManus’s Review
“The Necklace” is one of Guy de Maupassant’s best short stories. Discover the hidden gems of this masterpiece through Dermot McManus’s interpretation. The author describes the significant impact of materialism on the main character’s motivation and explains how symbolism highlights the story’s ideas. - “The Necklace” vs. “Paste”: Character Comparison
These stories can seem similar, yet they are mirror opposites. Their protagonists (Mathilde and Charlotte, respectively) share some characteristics, such as honesty, but there is much more to explore. Read this paper to learn about the main differences between the characters in “The Necklace” and “Paste.”
