The NecklaceBy Guy de Maupassant

Looking at Theme & Characterization

The Necklace• Theme & CharacterizationTHEME

Standard 2:

• Students will be able to identify themes of a text as well as analyze how the author develops that theme throughout the text.

 

CHARACTERIZATION

Standard 3:

• Students will be able to analyze how main characters of a text are developed throughout the text.

• Students will be able to analyze how main characters affect other characters in the text.

• Students will be able to analyze how main characters advance the plot and/or theme of the text.

The Necklace: Accountability1. Describe what causes Mme. Loisel to be

so unhappy in the beginning of the story.

2. Explain what occurs that confuses M. Loisel after he delivers the invitation for the party to his wife?

3. Explain how the ending of the story helps develop a theme.

Characterization: how the character is portrayed

Mme. Loisel:

Traits: Deceptive, Ungrateful, Dishonest, Insecure, Untrustworthy, Selfish

M. Loisel:

Traits: Patient, Kind, Compassionate, Selfless, Loving, Considerate, Controlled

Mme. Forestier:

Traits: Generous, Kind, Forgiving, Trusting, Sympathetic

Theme: the central idea, message, or lesson

These do NOT qualify as themes found within The Necklace:

Don’t lose things

Be careful when you borrow an expensive necklace

Mme. Loisel should have told the truth

She shouldn’t have wanted to look fancy

When you lose something ask the person how much it cost

Theme: the central idea, message, or lesson

Possible themes found within The Necklace:

Honesty is the best policy

Dishonesty can lead to destruction

Be grateful for what you have rather than disappointed in what you do not have.

The desire to seem to be what you are not can be costly

Before you borrow anything ensure you have the means to replace it

So how is characterization used to develop theme? (Standard 2 & 3)

• Character Traits of Mme. Loisel:Greedy, Dissatisfied, Dishonest

• How are these character traits used to develop the following theme?

• Theme: Honesty is the best policy

Explain:

The Necklace: How to Write a Thesis Statement

DIRECTIONS: Copy exactly what you see in your UNIT NOTES section

FORMULA FOR WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT

Author utilizes + Literary Device in Type & Title of Work + to Analytical Verb (suggest) Purpose = Thesis Statement

While the purpose will change depending on what you write, our PURPOSE in a character analysis is how the use of a literary device (characterization) helps develop a theme.

The Necklace: Analytical Verbs

List of Analytical Verbs:

Examines Investigates Suggests

Implies HighlightsConcludes

Indicates Addresses Explores

Outlines Insinuates

Too Early by James TissotWrite comparison question using text and art

“The Necklace” Character AnalysisTHESIS:

Guy de Maupassant utilizes characterization in his short story “The Necklace” in order to suggest (insert your theme here).

TOPIC SENTENCE 1:

Madame Loisel is (trait #1). Intro quote with what’s happening just before quote? “Use quote” (cite page number). Analyze quote with your own explanation as to HOW the quote proves your topic sentence.

Make Topic Sentences more sophisticatedChange “Madame Loisel is greedy” to:

“Madame Loisel doesn’t realize the more she feeds her greed, the more control it has over her.

Change “Madame Loisel is dissatisfied” to:

“Dissatisfaction seems to have created a leak in Madame Loisel; regardless of what is poured into her life, it is impossible to fill her up.”

Make Topic Sentences more sophisticated

Change “Madame Loisel is dishonest” to:

Sir Walter Scott wrote, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Madame Loisel finds herself entrapped in her own web of deception when she attempts to cover her mistake by being dishonest.