"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant -- Short Story Film -- 1980

Summary

Mattie, living an ordinary life with unfulfilled desires, borrows an expensive necklace from her wealthy friend, Gene. After losing the necklace at a party, Mattie and her husband go to great lengths to replace it, even enduring financial struggles for years. Only later does Mattie discover the necklace was a cheap imitation, worth little compared to the immense cost they paid to replace it. The story highlights themes of societal pressure, appearances, and the consequences of hidden truths.

Takeaways

• 💔 Mattie feels trapped in an ordinary life and craves luxuries she cannot afford.
• 👗 Mattie reluctantly agrees to go to a party but feels she has nothing to wear, so she borrows a friend's dress and necklace.
• 💍 Mattie loses the borrowed necklace at the party and is panicked about replacing it.
• 💸 Mattie and her husband struggle financially, deciding to replicate the expensive necklace despite the high cost.
• 😟 The couple's financial burden from replacing the necklace stretches on for years, affecting their lives significantly.
• 😱 Mattie is consumed by guilt, hiding the truth from her friend and feeling trapped by the ongoing debt.
• 📞 Mattie continually checks with the hotel and runs ads, hoping the lost necklace will be found.
• 😢 Over time, the strain of paying back the debt wears on Mattie and her husband, causing tension in their relationship.
• 😨 After nearly ten years, Mattie finally confesses to her friend that she replaced the lost necklace.
• 😲 Her friend reveals that the original necklace was only worth $100, and Mattie had spent years paying off a much more expensive replacement.

Q & A

Who is Mattie, and what is her background?

Mattie is a woman born into an ordinary family, living an ordinary life with an ordinary husband. She has never felt the need to work and is unhappy due to her desire for luxuries that she cannot afford.

Why does Mattie visit her wealthy friend, Gene?

Mattie visits Gene, a wealthy schoolmate, likely seeking an escape from her ordinary life and craving the luxuries that Gene enjoys.

What dilemma does Mattie face regarding the party invitation?

Mattie receives an invitation to a party, but she hesitates to attend because she feels she has nothing to wear and lacks the confidence to go without the right dress.

How does Gene help Mattie with her party outfit?

Gene generously offers Mattie one of her dresses to wear to the party, showing the extent of their friendship and the difference in their lifestyles.

What significant event happens at the party?

At the party, Mattie loses a valuable necklace that Gene had lent her. This loss leads to a series of complications in Mattie’s life.

How does Mattie and her husband try to handle the lost necklace situation?

Mattie and her husband try to replace the lost necklace by getting a replica made, which ends up costing them a fortune, and they struggle financially for years as a result.

What is the twist regarding the value of the necklace?

The twist comes when Mattie finally confesses to Gene after many years, only to find out that the original necklace was not made of real diamonds and was worth no more than $100.

How does Mattie react when she learns the truth about the necklace?

Mattie is devastated to learn the truth about the necklace, as she and her husband spent years paying off a debt for a necklace that was worth very little.

What does the story reveal about Mattie's personality and life choices?

The story reveals that Mattie’s desire for luxury and appearances led her into financial ruin and personal hardship, highlighting her dissatisfaction with her life and her inability to communicate openly with her friend.

What are the central themes of the script?

The central themes include materialism, the consequences of dishonesty, the burden of financial debt, and the contrast between appearances and reality.