The Diamond Necklace | BOSEM Notes Class 10 English

BOSEM Class X 

English Literature Reader

Chapter 6

The Diamond Necklace

Guy-de-Maupassant

I. Answer the following in a sentence each.

1. Why did Mathilde suffer ceaselessly?

Ans.: - Mathilde endured constant suffering as she felt like a tormented soul, believing that she was destined to revel in the pleasures and luxuries of the world, yet her modest socio-economic standing barred her from doing so.

2. Why did Mathilde not like to go to see her former schoolmate?

Ans.: - When Mathilde visited her former schoolmate, she felt sad upon returning home because being around her wealthy friend made her unhappy.

3. What was in Mathilde's mind when she saw the invitation her husband brought for her?

Ans.: - Upon receiving the invitation from her husband, she was overcome with a sense of sadness as she realized that she did not possess an appropriate dress for the ball.

4. What was Mathilde's objection to wearing roses to the party?

Ans.: - Mathilde objected to wearing roses to the party because she felt that doing so would give the impression that she was less affluent compared to the other women who would be in attendance.

5. What were the feeling's of the attaches of Cabinet on seeing Mathilde dance?

Ans.: - The Cabinet attaches were eager to waltz with Mathilde upon witnessing her dance.

6. Why did Mathilde and her husband hurry towards the Seine in despair after the dance?

Ans.: - After the dance, Mathilde and her husband rushed to the Seine in a state of despair, hoping to find a carriage to transport them to their apartment.

7. "Loisel returned at night with a hollow pale face." Why did M. Loisel look so?

Ans.: - M. Loisel appeared gaunt and pallid due to his inability to uncover any information about the missing diamond necklace.

8. Why id Mrs. Loisel dismiss her servant?

Ans.: - Mrs. Loisel let go of her servant because they were facing severe financial difficulties due to borrowing money to purchase the diamond necklace, and she made every effort to repay the overwhelming debt.

9. "But sometimes when her husband was at the office, she sat down near the window and she thought of that..." What did Mathilde think of?

Ans.: - Mathilde remembered the joyful evening from the distant past, recalling the grand ball where she had been exceptionally beautiful and greatly admired.

10. At the Champs Elysees, why could not Madame Forestier recognise Mathilde?

Ans.: - Madame Forestier couldn't identify Mathilde at the Champs Elysees, as years of toil and severe poverty had transformed her to the point where she was no longer recognizable.

II. Answer each of the following briefly.

1. What circumstances forced Madame Loisel to marry a clerk?

Ans.: - Madame Loisel was born into a family of clerks with no dowry, expectations, or prospects of being known, understood, loved, or married by a wealthy or distinguished man. Consequently, her low social status and lack of wealth led her to marry a humble clerk.

2. Mathilde had no gowns, no jewels, nothing. What was her feeling at her own condition?

Ans.: - Mathilde yearned for the things she lacked, believing they were meant for her. She desired to please others, to be admired, to be captivating, and to be desired. She craved the finer things in life, yet her modest lifestyle hindered and tormented her, sparking anger within her. The absence of her longed-for luxuries deeply troubled her, causing her constant suffering.

3. What was M. Loisel's expectation when he brought the invitation?

Ans.: - When M. Loisel presented the invitation for the party, he had anticipated his wife would be thrilled and pleased to be invited to an event where the entire official society would be in attendance.

4. "She threw her arms around her friend's neck, kissed her passionately, then fled with the treasure." Why did Madame Loisel behave in such a way after she borrowed the necklace?

Ans.: - Upon laying eyes on the necklace, Mathilde's heart raced with an overwhelming desire, and catching her reflection in the mirror, she became lost in ecstasy. Upon her friend's agreement to lend her the coveted necklace, Madame Loisel's joy knew no bounds, prompting her to act in a most jubilant manner.

5. In what sense was Madame Loisel a great success in the party?

Ans.: - Madame Loisel looked stunning in her exquisite gown and diamond necklace, surpassing the beauty of every other woman at the event. Her elegance, grace, radiant smile, and exuberant joy captivated everyone present. All the men gazed at her with longing, and even the minister took notice of her. This was everything her heart had yearned for, making her a resounding success at the party.

6. "She removed her wraps before the glass so as to see herself once more in her glory." What does this line tell about Madame Loisel?

Ans.: - Madame Loisel was euphoric and intoxicated by her success at the ball, feeling as though she was living in a cloud of happiness. The adulation she received at the party was something she relished, believing that these were the things she was destined for. However, upon returning home to their modest apartment, she was once again confronted with the harsh reality of her life, which left her feeling despondent. She believed that everything had come to an end for her. Seeking to once again bask in her former glory, she gazed at herself in the mirror. This episode highlights Madame Loisel's shallowness and her excessive emphasis on superficial matters.

7. "They looked, thunderstruck, at each other." Describe M. and Madame Loisel's feelings at the discovery of the loss of the necklace.

Ans.: - When M. and Madame Loisel realized that Madame Loisel had misplaced the borrowed diamond necklace, they were filled with confusion and horror. M. Loisel resolved to retrace the entire route on foot in hopes of finding it. Meanwhile, Mathilde remained seated, draped in her ball gown, exhibiting no energy to retire to bed, with a complete lack of willpower or capacity for coherent thought.

8. "Loise who had aged five years..." Why had Loisel aged five years?

Ans.: - When Mathilde misplaced the diamond necklace, Mr. Loisel made every effort to locate it, but to no avail. After a week, they had given up all hope of recovering it. As their attempts proved futile, the couple felt a heavy blow, particularly because they had assumed the necklace to be valuable, causing Mr. Loisel to appear five years older.

9. Madame Loisel loved to be an elegant lady. How did she look after she had paid for the necklace?

Ans.: - After Madame Loisel had settled the debt for the necklace, her former love for elegance transformed her into a different person. She appeared aged and took on the demeanour of a woman from modest means—tough, weathered, and unrefined. Her hair was dishevelled, her skirts were disarrayed, and her hands were red as she spoke loudly while vigorously washing the floor with splashes of water.

10. "What would have happened if she would not have lost the necklace?" Try to guess what Madame Loisel's life would have been if she had not lost the necklace.

Ans.: - If Madame Loisel had not lost the necklace, she would have continued living a life of ingratitude, always desiring superficial material things that were not meant for her. Additionally, she may not have encountered the harsh reality of poverty, which she faced with unexpected courage.

III. Answer the following questions in about 80 words each.

1. Bring out the character of Madame Mathilde as revealed in the opening paragraphs of the story.

Ans.: - In the opening paragraphs of the story, Mathilde is depicted as a beautiful and charming young woman who comes from a family of clerks. She yearns to be recognized, understood, loved, and married to a wealthy and distinguished man. Consequently, she feels disheartened to be married to a lowly clerk and is unhappy in the home she shares with Loisel. She is portrayed as someone who has not accepted her fate and mourns her humble origins because she believes she is meant to experience all the luxuries and pleasures in life. The stark contrast between what she has and what she desires causes her significant inner turmoil, leading to continual suffering. The absence of the material possessions that she covets fuels her discontent to the extent that she is pained by both the opulence of her wealthy acquaintances and the modesty of her own home. Thus, Mathilde is depicted as a superficial, immature, and vain individual who yearns for material wealth.

2. Why was Mathilde always unhappy? Do you think she was right in being unhappy? Justify your answer.

Ans.: - Mathilde was constantly discontented due to her own actions. Despite being born into a family of clerks, she harboured a strong desire to be admired, loved, and wedded to a wealthy and prominent man. Instead, she allowed herself to be married to a modest clerk. Lacking elegant attire and a grand residence, she yearned for the finest delicacies and luxuries. The conflict between her actual circumstances and her desires perpetually tormented and angered her. She avoided the company of her wealthy friends due to their possessions, and declined invitations to gatherings to avoid revealing her modest status. In order to attend a ball, she spent a significant sum that her husband had saved to purchase a gun, and even borrowed a diamond necklace which she subsequently lost, leading to ten years of hardship. Consequently, Mathilde's unhappiness stemmed from her own choices. If she had recognized her true situation and restrained her unrealistic aspirations, her unhappiness could have been avoided.

3. From the way Mathilde behaved from receiving the invitation to the end of the party, comment on Mathilde's character.

Ans.: - Mathilde's husband, M. Loisel, worked as a low-ranking clerk at the Ministry of Public Instruction. Despite his modest position, he secured an invitation to a prestigious party hosted by the Minister at the palace of the Ministry. Rather than feeling overjoyed by the invitation, Mathilde was annoyed and voiced her discontent, lamenting that she lacked appropriate attire for such an event. Despite their limited means, she persuaded her husband to part with the four hundred francs he had saved to purchase a hunting rifle. Furthermore, she borrowed an exquisite diamond necklace from her affluent friend, Madame Forestier.

At the ball, Mathilde was a vision of beauty. Adorned in the stunning gown and adorned with the necklace, she outshone every other woman in attendance, exuding elegance, grace, and joy, seemingly intoxicated by pleasure and a desire for admiration and triumph. This portrayal of Mathilde depicts her as a shallow and superficial woman, captivated by the allure of material possessions and external validation. Unfortunately, she struggled to graciously embrace her circumstances, leading to enduring suffering.

4. How did M. Loisel try to retrieve the lost necklace?

Ans.: - After M and Madame Loisel returned from the successful party, they discovered that the diamond necklace was missing. The distressed couple searched desperately for it, checking every possible place, including the folds of her skirt, cloak, and pockets, but to no avail. In a desperate attempt to recover the necklace, Loisel retraced their entire route on foot, visited the police headquarters, approached newspaper offices to offer a reward to the finder, and even sought assistance from cab companies, but luck was not on their side. After a week passed without any success in finding the necklace, they lost all hope and considered replacing it with a new one. They visited numerous jewellers in search of a similar necklace and eventually found one at a shop in the Palais Royal, which was valued at forty thousand francs, but they managed to purchase it for only thirty-six. M. Loisel made efforts to recover the lost necklace.

5. How did the Loisels raise the money for the necklace and how did they repay the money?

Ans.: - To gather the thirty-six thousand francs needed to purchase the diamond necklace, the Loisels employed various strategies. They possessed eighteen thousand francs inherited from Loisel's father and borrowed the remainder. Loisel borrowed sums from multiple sources, including a thousand francs from one person, five hundred from another, and even smaller amounts, such as three or five sows. He utilized promissory notes, assumed burdensome obligations, engaged with usurers, and sought assistance from various lenders, essentially compromising his future to amass the substantial sum.

The couple relocated to a garret and released their servant. Mathilde assumed all the demanding household duties and distasteful kitchen responsibilities. She washed dishes and soiled clothes, carried water up the stairs, pausing for breath at each landing. Dressed plainly, she visited the fruiterer, grocer, and butcher with a basket on her arm, haggling, enduring impertinence, and safeguarding her meagre funds, sou by sou. Every month, they contended with promissory notes, and Loisel worked evenings, managing a tradesman's accounts. Late into the night, he often transcribed manuscripts for five sous per page. After toiling diligently for ten years, they eventually managed to settle all their debts, contending with usurious rates and compounded interest accumulation.

6. "Thereafter Madame Loisel knew the horrible existence of the needy." Bring out the circumstances that compelled Madame Loisel to experience the existence of the needy.

Ans.: - The invitation from the Minister of Public Instruction to the ball marked a pivotal moment in the lives of M and Madame Loisel. Eager to be perceived as equals to the affluent women in attendance, Mathilde utilized her husband's hard-earned four hundred francs, initially intended for a gun, to purchase a suitable gown. Lacking suitable jewelry to accompany the gown, she sought out her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, and borrowed a magnificent diamond necklace. Mathilde was a resounding success at the event, captivating the attention of every man and dancing with joy until the early hours of the morning. Despite the tremendous success of the party, tragedy struck upon their return home as they discovered that the diamond necklace was missing. Overwhelmed with grief, despite Loisel's exhaustive efforts, they were unable to locate it. After seven days, they came to terms with the fact that it was gone forever and sought a replacement. Eventually, they found one at a shop in the Palais Royal, but it came at a steep price of thirty-six thousand francs. With only eighteen thousand francs left by Loisel's father, they had to borrow the rest. Repaying these debts required substantial changes in their lives, leading Madame Loisel to experience the hardships of the less fortunate.

7. Do you think the ending of the story is unexpected? What is the intention of the writer in ending the story in this way?

Ans.: - The conclusion, while surprising and containing an ironic twist, is not entirely unforeseen. Guy de Maupassant was known for crafting stories with unexpected turns that revealed the irony of life. The author's aim in concluding the story is to impart the moral lesson that one should prioritize being true to oneself or adhere to the principle of honesty, which is indeed the best policy.

In the story, Mathilde is depicted as a young and beautiful woman who is excessively concerned with appearances and material wealth. She attaches great significance to worldly possessions and is dissatisfied with her middle-class background and marriage to a lowly clerk. Believing herself destined for a life of luxury and extravagance, she remains discontented with her husband's offerings. Her decision to overspend on a gown for a party leads to the loss of a diamond necklace borrowed from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier. If Mathilde had embraced her true self and not been so vain, she would not have borrowed the necklace or lost it. Additionally, her failure to disclose the loss to her friend resulted in her misunderstanding the true value of the necklace, leading to her prolonged suffering. Ultimately, years of toil and the loss of her youth and beauty proved to be in vain.

8. Why did Maupassant entitle the story 'The Diamond Necklace'?

Ans.: - "The Diamond Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant tells the story of Mathilde, a young and beautiful woman who borrows and loses a diamond necklace that becomes a central element in the narrative. The necklace symbolizes wealth and status, which Mathilde desires but does not possess. Ironically, the story portrays the struggle of the Loisels to replace the fake diamond necklace with a real one, reflecting the deception in Mathilde's own life.

Mathilde, dissatisfied with her modest background, dreams of material wealth despite her husband providing everything within his means. She borrows the diamond necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, to wear to a party, hoping it will elevate her social status. While wearing the necklace, she enjoys a brief period of living in a fantasy world where she feels admired and successful. However, her misfortune begins when she loses the necklace, leading the Loisels to purchase a real and expensive replacement without knowing its actual worth. This decision plunges them into ten years of extreme poverty as they struggle to repay the debts incurred to obtain the new necklace.

Ultimately, Mathilde's pursuit of material wealth leads to a life of deceit and hardship. The story serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the pursuit of material possessions at the cost of honesty and contentment.

Alternate shorter answer: Maupassant titled the story "The Diamond Necklace" to draw attention to the central object that serves as a catalyst for the events and themes within the narrative. The necklace symbolizes the allure of wealth, the consequences of vanity and dishonesty, and the misplaced values of the protagonist, Mathilde. Its loss and subsequent revelation of its true value underscore the story's themes of self-deception, the consequences of pride, and the irony of fate.

9. Write how M. Loisel is a contrast to Madame Loisel.

Ans.: - 

• M. Loisel worked as a small clerk at the Ministry of Public Instructions and was deeply devoted to his wife, Mathilde. He went to great lengths to make her happy, including securing an invitation to a prestigious ball hosted by the Minister of Public Instructions. Despite having saved money to buy himself a gun, he willingly offered the four hundred francs to Mathilde so she could purchase a gown for the event. Additionally, when Mathilde lost the diamond necklace, he used his savings and borrowed money to purchase a new one, demonstrating his selflessness and dedication to his wife.
• Madame Loisel, on the other hand, was a young and beautiful woman who possessed a shallow and superficial nature. Unlike her husband, she placed a high value on material wealth and luxury. Despite being born into a modest family and marrying a low-ranking clerk, she yearned for opulence and felt discontent when it was beyond her reach. At the Minister of Public Instruction's ball, she experienced immense joy and satisfaction, believing herself to be a success among the wealthy due to her expensive gown and borrowed diamond necklace. However, her life took a turn for the worse when she lost the borrowed necklace, leading to significant sacrifices and premature aging as she and her husband worked to replace it. Ultimately, her relentless pursuit of a lavish lifestyle caused her to forfeit her youth and beauty.