What is The Theme of "The Necklace": Slavery of Material Wealth

Just imagine if all the people could have everything they ever wanted in this world? Materialistic possessions can make a person feel comfortable, but it can also cause unhappiness. This theme can be found in literature as well as in real life. For example if you ask 'what is the theme of 'The Necklace'?' you will find out that Guy de Maupassant wrote about deceptive nature of appearances and the pursuit of material wealth. But before diving into the theme of the story it is needed to define the term 'materialism'.

What is materialism you may ask? Materialism is the philosophy that everything can be explained in terms of matter, or the idea that goods and wealth are the most important things. The things we need are mandatory for us to continue our day or week. The things we want are not what we always need. Materialism can bring many people comfort in certain situations such as feeling vulnerable, sad, and even depression. But when feeling comfort off of materialism you can start to realize later in life it can bring dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

Going back to the the main theme in 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, the author shows how much human nature can be deceptive of appearances and what strong desire we can have towards material wealth. The story revolves around a woman named Mathilde Loisel, who is discontented with her modest social status and yearns for a life of luxury and opulence. When she borrows a seemingly exquisite necklace from a wealthy friend to wear to a prestigious event, she inadvertently loses it and, instead of confessing, she and her husband go into debt to replace it. However, they eventually discover that the necklace was merely an imitation, revealing the irony of their relentless pursuit of material wealth.

According to the fictional short story “ The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant it says, ”She had no dresses, no jewels, nothing; and these were the only things she loved. She felt she was made for them alone. She wanted so much to charm, to be envied, to be desired and sought after”. This quote shows that madame Loisel loves materialistic possessions such as jewelry and expensive clothes. Madame Loisel feels that she needs fancy clothes and items because that is the only thing that makes her feel loved, and happiness. This can lead to her losing confidence in herself because she knows that she can't have the fancy dresses and expensive jewelry, so she feels upset without it. 

Through the character of Mathilde, Maupassant explores the idea that outward appearances can be deceiving. Mathilde believes that owning expensive items and socializing with the affluent will elevate her social status and bring her happiness. However, the necklace itself turns out to be of little value, highlighting the futility of her aspirations and the ultimate emptiness of material possessions.

The theme of the pursuit of material wealth is further emphasized as Mathilde and her husband suffer the consequences of their actions. They are burdened by heavy debt and are forced to live a life of hardship and toil, contrasting with the temporary glamour and illusion of wealth they sought to attain. This underscores the idea that the pursuit of material possessions can lead to ruin and dissatisfaction, rather than genuine happiness.

Ultimately, 'The Necklace' serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of valuing material wealth over personal fulfillment and the deceptive nature of societal expectations. It highlights the importance of appreciating one's own circumstances and finding contentment within, rather than placing excessive importance on external appearances and possessions.

The things that make us happy can also make us feel miserable. Can you believe that? There is always going to be what I want between what I need. Materialism can also bring unsatisfacation and depression because later in life those things are worthless in life. An example of having such strong, destructive desire towards material wealth is depicted in 'The Necklace'. Mathilde wasn't happy about her life, she was a slave to her fears and desires.