The Theme of Pride in "The Necklace"

The theme of pride is a prominent and complex one in Guy de Maupassant's short story "The Necklace." The story revolves around the main character, Mathilde Loisel, who is consumed by her pride and desire for material wealth. Her relentless pursuit of social status ultimately leads to her downfall. Throughout the story, the theme of pride is portrayed through Mathilde's actions, decisions, and the consequences she faces as a result of her prideful nature.

Mathilde's pride is evident from the beginning of the story as she longs for a life of luxury and grandeur. She is dissatisfied with her middle-class lifestyle and constantly yearns for more. She is ashamed of her modest home and feels envious of her wealthier peers. Her pride causes her to reject her current circumstances and dream of a life that is beyond her means. This attitude is evident in her refusal to attend a ball at the Ministry of Education because she does not have an appropriate dress to wear. Her pride prevents her from accepting her reality and causes her to make irrational decisions.

When Mathilde's husband, Monsieur Loisel, brings home an invitation to the ball, she is ecstatic at the thought of attending such a prestigious event. However, her joy quickly turns to despair when she realizes that she does not have a suitable dress to wear. Her pride prevents her from borrowing jewelry from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, and instead, she insists on buying a new dress. This decision ultimately leads to their financial ruin. Mathilde's pride blinds her to the consequences of her actions and causes her to make irrational and reckless choices.

Mathilde's pride is further emphasized by her refusal to tell Madame Forestier the truth about losing her necklace. Instead of admitting her mistake and asking for forgiveness, she and her husband decide to replace the necklace without disclosing the truth. This decision leads them into debt and poverty for the next ten years. Mathilde's pride prevents her from accepting responsibility for her actions and forces her to live a life of hardship and struggle.

The theme of pride is also evident in Mathilde's attitude towards her husband. She is dismissive of his efforts to make her happy and constantly compares him to other men who can provide their wives with luxurious possessions. Mathilde's pride causes her to overlook her husband's love and devotion, and instead, she longs for a life that is beyond their means. This attitude ultimately leads to their financial ruin and forces Monsieur Loisel to work tirelessly to repay the debt incurred by Mathilde's prideful actions.

The consequences of Mathilde's pride are evident throughout the story as she and her husband suffer the repercussions of her reckless decisions. Her pride leads to their financial ruin, causing them to live a life of poverty and hardship. The irony of the story is that the necklace that Mathilde covets so dearly is revealed to be a fake, highlighting the superficiality of her desires and the consequences of her prideful nature.

In conclusion, the theme of pride in "The Necklace" is a central and complex element of the story. Mathilde's relentless pursuit of social status and material wealth ultimately leads to her downfall. Her pride blinds her to the consequences of her actions and causes her to make irrational and reckless decisions. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of living within one's means. Mathilde's prideful nature ultimately leads to her suffering and serves as a reminder of the destructive power of pride.