THE NECKLACE

By Guy de Maupassant

TIME AND PLACE

P

aris, France

D

uring the late 1800s

BACKGROUND INFO

I

n late 1800s, society in Paris had a rigid class

structure.

A

ristocrats were at the top of the social ladder. They

had wealth, large estates, and many servants.

BACKGROUND INFO

B

elow the aristocrats was the middle class. These consisted of merchants,

clerks, government workers, and others.

M

iddle class families generally lived in modest homes or apartments and could

afford to hire a servant or two.

T

hey were not starving or poor, however they did have a lot less money and

social stature as the aristocrats.

M

IDDLE-CLASS WOMEN DID NOT WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME. ONLY MEN

WORKED.

BACKGROUND INFO

B

elow the middle class, there was a huge number of peasants and

servants who worked for the rich or farmed the land.

P

eople would try to own material goods to make themselves look

higher in society than they were.

B

oth men and women in the lowest class worked hard labor with

long hours for the rich.

CONNECTING TO THE STORY

I

n “The Necklace,” a character wishes she owned

something far more costly than she can afford.

W

rite three reasons why a person might want to have

expensive things. Use at least three of these words:

obtain, impress, exceed, and identify.

GUY DE MAUPASSANT

W

rote short stories that are realistic and pessimistic.

Often have surprise endings.

“

The Necklace” is perhaps his most widely read story.

H

e was interested in the psychology of his characters.

Mini French Lesson

M

. = Monsieur = Mr.

M

me. = Madame = Mrs.S

o, a M. would be married to a Mme.