what is the thesis of the necklace

A Summary and Analysis of Guy de Maupassant’s ‘The Necklace’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘The Necklace’ is an 1884 short story by the French writer Guy de Maupassant (1850-93), first published in Le Gaulois as ‘La parure’ in February of that year. If you’re unfamiliar with Maupassant’s work, ‘The Necklace’ is his most famous tale, and worth taking the time to read. If you’re a fan of stories with twist endings , you’ll probably love it.

Plot summary

Mathilde Loisel is a pretty woman who is married to a clerk who works in the Ministry of Education. They do not have much money, and Mathilde spends her days fantasising that her life is more glamorous and upmarket than it actually is.

When her husband is invited to a ball hosted by the minister for whom he works, he is keen for them both to attend, but Mathilde tells him she has nothing to wear to such a high-class social occasion. He tells her he will buy her a nice dress, even though it will mean sacrificing his own pleasure.

Then, Mathilde becomes worried that she has no jewels to wear with the dress. Loisel, her husband, suggests she ask her friend, Madame Forestier, if she has something she will lend to Mathilde for the night. Madame Forestier is happy for her friend to borrow whatever she wants, and Mathilde chooses a diamond necklace.

Mathilde enjoys the ball, and especially likes all of the attention she attracts from the men in attendance. When they are due to leave, at four in the morning, they go outside and try to find a cab to take them home. When they arrive home, however, Mathilde is horrified to discover she has lost the necklace!

Loisel retraces their steps but cannot find the lost necklace anywhere. They realise that they will have to replace the necklace, whatever the cost. To buy them some time, they compose a letter to Madame Forestier, claiming that they are having the necklace repaired. They then try to find out where the necklace was made, and have to buy the clasp and the diamonds from separate jewellers.

Loisel racks up thousands of francs in debt, borrowing from friends and from professional moneylenders to raise the cash. They finally have the necklace, which is returned to Madame Forestier, but now they have to pay back the money to all of their creditors.

This takes them ten long years. They dismiss their servant girl and Mathilde has to perform all of the housework, which ages her rapidly. Loisel, meanwhile, takes on a second job, working for a merchant in the evenings. Finally, though, their debts are cleared.

One day, Mathilde bumps into Madame Forestier, who doesn’t recognise her at first because her friend looks so poor and haggard. Now the debt is paid off, Mathilde feels she can tell her friend the truth, and confesses that she lost her friend’s necklace and she and her husband had to buy a replacement.

In a twist, Madame Forestier tells her friend that the necklace she lent Mathilde was made of imitation diamonds, and was virtually worthless. Mathilde and her husband had spent ten years toiling away for no reason.

In ‘The Necklace’, Guy de Maupassant explores the relationship between appearance and reality. The necklace, of course, is the most explicit example of this: it looks like a genuine diamond necklace but is actually an imitation or fake. And this final twist in the tale leads us to think more carefully about the other details of the story.

But ‘The Necklace’ is more specifically about the dangers of not being happy with what one has, and always wanting more. The nineteenth century saw a rise in the prevalance of consumerism, with many middle-class people seeking to improve their lot and keep up with their friends and neighbours in terms of their possessions, clothes, and social status.

Although Maupassant’s story is hardly searing social satire, the fate of the female protagonist does act as a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing consumerist gratification in order to impress and be admired by others. The Loisels have a perfectly comfortable lower-middle-class life, and Mathilde has one servant to help around the house.

But this isn’t enough. She dreams of having more. Her food is not enough for her and she wants to dine on finer dishes. One would think she was living a life of poverty from how dissatisfied she is.

This constant desire for more is her undoing, of course – and her husband’s. Her insistence that she have some jewels to wear to the ball is what leads her to find out what real poverty is like, when she and her husband have to downsize from a modest flat to a small garret, and Mathilde has to learn how to work as a servant in her own house. She also loses the natural beauty she had as she has to work so hard at scrubbing the floors.

The critic Rachel Mesch, in her book Having It All in the Belle Epoque , has pointed out that ‘The Necklace’, among other stories, is a kind of Cinderella-story gone awry: whereas Cinderella begins by scrubbing floors and ends up going to the ball in all her finery, Mathilde goes to the ball and, as a result of losing her necklace (not her glass slipper), is reduced to a life of scrubbing floors.

Because she longed for more than she had, she ended up with less than she had to begin with. But the delicious ironic twist at the end of the story shows that her reduction to a life of poverty was all for nothing: just like the admiration she was foolishly and vainly chasing, the necklace she was working to replace was, after all, a sham.

Modern consumerism, then, is a con, with anyone able to afford a cheap imitation necklace able to pass themselves off as a member of the upper classes. Maupassant seems to be suggesting that the ‘finer things’ in life which tempt us are often, at their core, hollow and worthless.

At the same time, however, even when she is reduced to a life of grinding poverty, Mathilde still remembers that one night at the ball when she was admired. It is almost as if she thinks it was worth it, despite what happened next. She wonders what would have happened if she’d never lost the necklace.

Of course, at this stage of the narrative she hasn’t learned that the diamonds she was wearing that night were fakes; perhaps that revelation would make her revise her opinion. And yet, knowing they were imitation diamonds raises further ‘what if’ questions.

If they cost five hundred francs at the most, as Madame Forestier reveals at the end, Loisel’s husband could have easily bought her a cheap necklace and nobody – except for the Loisels themselves – would have been any the wiser. After all, Mathilde was admired at the ball even though she was, it turns out, wearing fake diamonds.

‘The Necklace’ is narrated in the third person by an omniscient narrator. The style is broadly realist, with Maupassant’s narrative voice relating the main details of the story in crisp, concise prose. We don’t get – as we would in the work of later modernist writers – detailed insight into the characters’ thoughts and feelings, although we are given occasional details about Mathilde’s feelings towards her situation.

Discover more from Interesting Literature

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.

Type your email…

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

English Studies

This website is dedicated to English Literature, Literary Criticism, Literary Theory, English Language and its teaching and learning.

“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant: A Critical Review

Imagine a simple twist of fate that forever alters your life – this is the captivating premise of “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant.

Introduction: “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

Table of Contents

Imagine a simple twist of fate that forever alters your life – this is the captivating premise of “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. First published in 1884 within the French newspaper Le Gaulois, this short story later found a home in Maupassant’s broader collection, Boule de Suif . With its focus on the deceptive nature of appearances, the relentless pursuit of social status, and the crushing weight of debt, “The Necklace” continues to enthrall readers. Its themes remain timeless, made even more poignant by Maupassant’s skill as a storyteller: his prose is crisp, his irony sharp, and his iconic twist ending will haunt your thoughts long after you’ve reached the final line

Main Events in “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

Unhappiness and Longing:

• Mathilde’s discontent is clear: “She suffered constantly, feeling herself born for all the delicacies and all the luxuries.” (Maupassant, Paragraph 1)
• Her dreams of wealth are detailed: “… dainty dinners, with gleaming silverware … tapestries peopling the walls with ancient figures and with strange birds flying in fairy forests …” (Maupassant, Paragraph 1)

The Invitation:

• The invitation arrives and throws Mathilde into despair. She has nothing suitable to wear for an event of such high society.
• Her husband, Monsieur Loisel, sacrifices his savings for a new dress: …”and he gave her four hundred francs.” (Maupassant, Paragraph 9)

The Dress and the Necklace:

• Mathilde, still dissatisfied, borrows a diamond necklace from Madame Forestier: “She was overcome with emotion when she saw her own reflection.” (Maupassant, Paragraph 14)
• Mathilde’s transformation is complete: “She was prettier than any of them, elegant, gracious, smiling and wild with joy” (Maupassant, Paragraph 18)
• She is the envy of the party, reveling in the attention of high-ranking men.
• The party ends, and the luxurious facade crumbles: “…and in the street they found one of those ancient night cabs that crawl, only at night…” (Maupassant, Paragraph 22)
• Panic sets in as Mathilde discovers the loss of the necklace.

Desperation and Debt:

• The Loisels exhaust every possibility of finding the necklace: “…he retraced his steps… they went to the police headquarters, to the newspaper offices… to the cab companies…” (Maupassant, Paragraph 25)
• In a desperate act, they purchase an identical necklace with an enormous price tag, plunging them into debt.

A Decade of Hardship:

• The years become a blur of hard labor and sacrifice: “…she came to know the hateful work of the kitchen… all the loathsome tasks of a household.” (Maupassant, Paragraph 30)
• Mathilde’s youthful charm fades with the burdens: “She became… strong, hard and coarse woman…” (Maupassant, Paragraph 30)

The Shocking Truth:

• Ten years later, by chance, Mathilde encounters Madame Forestier, who doesn’t recognize her.
• In a heartbreaking twist, Madame Forestier reveals: “Oh, my poor Mathilde! But mine was imitation. It was worth at the very most five hundred francs!” (Maupassant, Last Paragraph)

Literary Devices in “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

Charact erization in “the necklace” by guy de maupassant, mathilde loisel.

• Obsessed with wealth and luxury: “She suffered constantly, feeling herself born for all the delicacies and all the luxuries.” (Opening paragraph)
• Dreams of fancy dinners, expensive furnishings, and servants.
• Values appearances above all else.
• Her greatest joy at the party is derived from the attention and envy of others.
• Willing to sacrifice everything and endure years of hardship for the facade of wealth.
• Doesn’t consider the consequences of borrowing the necklace.
• Underestimates the effort required to replace the necklace, assuming they could easily purchase another.
• Ten years of labor change her physically: “She had become the strong, hard, and coarse woman…”
• May have gained some wisdom and understanding of true value through her suffering.

Monsieur Loisel

• Seems satisfied with their modest life.
• Sacrifices his own savings for Mathilde’s dress: “…and he gave her four hundred francs.”
• Works tirelessly to repay the debt, demonstrating loyalty and love.
• Yields to Mathilde’s demands and goes along with her plans, even when he likely sees the potential for trouble.
• Less dynamic character than Mathilde, primarily serving to highlight her flaws.

Additional Notes on Characterization:

• Maupassant uses indirect characterization: We understand the characters primarily through their actions, dialogue, and thoughts, rather than explicit descriptions.
• Madame Forestier remains somewhat enigmatic. This hints at the theme of the deceptiveness of appearances since, even through her kindness, she unwittingly causes Mathilde’s downfall.

Major Themes in “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

Writing style in “the necklace” by guy de maupassant.

• Realism and Simplicity:
• Straightforward language: The story progresses without complicated sentence structures or excess verbosity.
• Example: “She suffered constantly, feeling herself born for all the delicacies and all the luxuries.” (Opening paragraph)
• Vivid Descriptions:
• Details paint a picture: Descriptions focus on characters, settings, and actions, allowing the reader to visualize the story.
• Example: “…the silk-lined walls, with alternating stripes of light and dark velvet… enormous chandeliers blazing…” (Description of the party)
• Irony and Social Commentary:
• Situational irony drives the plot: The borrowed necklace, a symbol of wealth, turns out to be worthless, highlighting the emptiness of materialism.
• Example: “Oh, my poor Mathilde! But mine was imitation. It was worth at the very most five hundred francs!” (Madame Forestier’s revelation)

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

• Marxist Theory : The story reflects the social and economic inequalities prevalent in the 19th century French society, where the bourgeoisie lived lavish lifestyles while the lower class struggled to make ends meet. Mathilde’s obsession with material possessions and desire to fit in with the upper class can be seen as a criticism of capitalism and its emphasis on material wealth.
• Feminist Theory : Mathilde’s character can be viewed through a feminist lens, as she is a victim of gender inequality and the limited opportunities available to women in her time. Her dissatisfaction with her life is a result of the limitations imposed on her as a woman, and the societal pressure for women to conform to a certain standard of beauty and class.
• Psychoanalytic Theory : The story can be interpreted through a psychoanalytic lens, where Mathilde’s desire for material possessions can be seen as a manifestation of her unconscious desires and repressed emotions. Her obsession with the necklace and desire to fit in with the upper class can be seen as a reflection of her own insecurities and dissatisfaction with her life.
• Reader-Response Theory : The reader’s interpretation of the story is influenced by their own experiences, beliefs, and cultural background. The story can be read in different ways depending on the reader’s own perspective, and the meaning of the story is not fixed but can change depending on the reader’s interpretation.
• Formalist Theory : The story can be analyzed in terms of its literary techniques and devices, such as the use of imagery, symbolism, and irony. The author’s use of irony in the ending, where it is revealed that the necklace was a fake, can be seen as a commentary on the superficiality and materialism of society.
• Structuralist Theory : The story can be analyzed through a structuralist lens, where it is viewed as a system of signs and symbols that convey meaning. The necklace can be seen as a symbol of material wealth and the social status it represents, while Mathilde’s desire for the necklace can be seen as a reflection of her desire for social status and acceptance.

Questions about “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

• How does Guy de Maupassant use irony in “The Necklace” to convey his message?
• What role does appearance and social status play in “The Necklace”?
• How does the theme of pride affect the main character’s actions in “The Necklace”?
• In “The Necklace,” how does the author use symbolism to enhance the story’s themes?
• How does “The Necklace” reflect the societal norms and values of the time it was written?
• What is the significance of the ending of “The Necklace”?

Thesis Statements of these Questions About “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

• The story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant explores the theme of the dangers of vanity and the illusion of social status through the character of Mathilde Loisel, who becomes obsessed with material possessions and her desire for social acceptance.
• In “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, the theme of appearance versus reality is portrayed through the necklace that Mathilde borrows, thinking it is a valuable piece of jewelry, only to find out it is a fake.
• Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace” is a story about the power of perception and the consequences of deceit. The theme of appearance versus reality is explored through the character of Mathilde, who tries to present herself as someone she is not.
• The short story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant examines the consequences of greed and the importance of honesty. Through the character of Mathilde Loisel, the story illustrates that material possessions are not the key to happiness and that honesty is always the best policy.
• “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant explores the theme of irony and the unexpected twists of fate that can occur in life. The story teaches us that even the smallest lies and deceptions can have long-lasting and devastating consequences.
• The story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant is a commentary on the social expectations placed upon women in the late 19th century. Through the character of Mathilde, the story highlights the limitations and constraints imposed on women in terms of their education, opportunities, and social mobility.

Short Questions andAnswers about “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

• What is the irony in “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant?
• The irony in “The Necklace” is that Mathilde Loisel spends her life trying to appear wealthy and high-class, but her desire for material possessions leads to her downfall. She borrows a diamond necklace from a friend to wear to a party and loses it. Instead of telling her friend, she and her husband go into debt to replace it. After ten years of hard work to pay off the debt, Mathilde finds out the necklace was a fake, which renders all of her struggles meaningless.
• What is the significance of the title “The Necklace”?
• The title “The Necklace” refers to the diamond necklace that Mathilde Loisel borrows from her friend Madame Forestier to wear to the party. The necklace represents the allure of material possessions and the desire for social status. It is the catalyst for Mathilde’s downward spiral, as it leads to her and her husband’s financial ruin.
• What is the moral of “The Necklace”?
• The moral of “The Necklace” is that being obsessed with material possessions and social status can lead to misery and despair. Mathilde Loisel spends her life trying to appear wealthy and high-class, but her desire for material possessions ultimately leads to her downfall. The story warns against the dangers of coveting what one cannot afford, and the importance of being content with one’s own circumstances.
• What is the conflict in “The Necklace”?
• The main conflict in “The Necklace” is between Mathilde Loisel and her own desires. Mathilde is unhappy with her simple life and longs to be wealthy and high-class. When she gets the opportunity to attend a fancy party, she borrows a diamond necklace to fit in, but loses it. The conflict comes when she and her husband go into debt to replace the necklace, leading to years of hardship and misery. The conflict is ultimately resolved when Mathilde finds out the necklace was a fake, realizing that all of her struggles were for nothing.

Literary Works Similar to “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

• “ The Gift of the Magi ” by O. Henry: This beloved short story revolves around a young couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other on Christmas Eve, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and the true meaning of wealth.
• “ The Lady, or the Tiger ?” by Frank R. Stockton: In this short story, a princess must decide the fate of her lover who is put on trial in an arena, raising questions about choice, consequence, and the nature of justice.
• “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst: This poignant short story tells the tale of a young boy with physical disabilities and his brother’s efforts to help him, exploring themes of love, pride, and the consequences of pushing someone beyond their limits.
• “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov: In this short story, a banker and a young lawyer make a bet regarding the value of life imprisonment versus capital punishment, delving into themes of human nature, morality, and the pursuit of wealth and power.
• “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs: This classic horror short story revolves around a magical monkey’s paw that grants its owner three wishes, but with unforeseen and tragic consequences, exploring themes of greed, fate, and the dangers of tampering with destiny.
• “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe: In this chilling tale, an unnamed narrator becomes increasingly disturbed by the eye of an old man and resolves to murder him, only to be haunted by guilt and paranoia, delving into themes of guilt, madness, and the human psyche.
• “Rappaccini’s Daughter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne: This Gothic short story explores themes of obsession, pride, and the consequences of meddling with nature through the tragic tale of a young woman who becomes poisonous to the touch due to her father’s experiments.
• “The Lottery Ticket” by Anton Chekhov: This short story follows a couple who experience a surge of excitement after winning a small lottery prize, leading them to imagine the possibilities of wealth and the changes it could bring to their lives, touching on themes of greed, desire, and the illusion of happiness.

Suggested Readings: “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

• Bloom, Harold. “Themes and Meanings in ‘The Necklace’.” Short Story Criticism 33 (1999): 30-32. Gale Literature Resource Center . Web. 22 March 2024.
• Knapp, Bettina L. “Maupassant’s ‘The Necklace’: Object of Desire, Symbol of Defeat.” The French Review 56.5 (1983): 661-668. JSTOR . Web. 22 March 2024.
• Cogny, Pierre. Guy de Maupassant: The Short Stories . Paris: Hatier, 1987. (Note: If resources in French are relevant to your research)
• Steegmuller, Francis. Maupassant: A Lion in the Path . New York: Random House, 1949. (Consider including this for a broader biographical approach)
• SparkNotes. “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. [ SparkNotes website ], n.d. Web. 22 March 2024.
• Short Stories and Classic Literature. “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. [Website Name], n.d. Web. 22 March 2024.

Related posts:

• “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams
• “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce: Analysis
• “Civil Peace” by Chinua Achebe: Analysis
• “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor: Analysis

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Necklace

51 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Analysis: “The Necklace”

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Related Titles

By Guy de Maupassant

A Family Affair

Guy de Maupassant

Boule De Suif

Featured Collections

Appearance Versus Reality

View Collection

French Literature

Literary Analysis of The Necklace: Essay Example

The necklace: introduction of the essay, the necklace by guy de maupassant: characterization, the necklace essay: conflict and narration, the necklace by guy de maupassant: setting and atmosphere, the necklace essay: tone, language, and major theme, the necklace essay: critical perspective, the necklace: conclusion of the essay.

The Necklace (La Parure) is one of the most famous short stories by Guy De Maupassant. It tells a story about a middle-class French couple in the 19th century. The wife is longing for a luxurious life, unappreciative of her husband, and a relatively happy life the couple is leading. Madame Loisel spends her time dreaming about all the luxuries they cannot afford to purchase while experiencing a feeling of shame for their actual life. The events described in the story reveal the features of the character of the heroine, which eventually leads her to live a life far poorer than she used to lead. An unexpected and ironic outcome provides a complex moral lesson that the readers are supposed to learn along with Madame Loisel. In the end, she learns that her image of high society was not real; the lack of appreciation for her moderate but sufficient fortune led to a disastrous outcome, and her husband’s efforts to provide for her went undeservingly unnoticed. The deceptiveness of appearances is the major theme of the story.

The main heroine, Madame Loisel, comes from a family of clerks. With no dowry and no hopes of being married to a wealthy man, she becomes the wife of a clerk from the Ministry of Education. Mathilde does not enjoy her life, as it is far too modest. She believes she was born to lead a lavish lifestyle and spends her time imagining the rich and luxurious surroundings she deserves (Maupassant 789). The emotions she experiences because of her poor lifestyle are rather strong, as she regards it as a misfortune and even an insult. Mathilde does not appreciate her husband’s efforts to provide for her at all costs. Upon receiving an invitation to a high society soirée, she is miserable due to the lack of clothing and jewelry worthy of a well-off and distinguished person.

Monsieur Loisel is a generous and loving husband. To please his wife, he denies himself the pleasure of buying a gun, giving up the money for Mathilde’s gown for the ball. Monsieur Loisel is attentive to his wife’s changing moods and gives her valuable advice on how to get the jewelry they cannot afford. During the soirée, he does not attempt to tarnish his wife’s delight at being appreciated and admired and sleeps in a waiting room until four o’clock in the morning, even though he must be at work four hours later. Monsieur Loisel displays the qualities of a loving and attentive husband, striving to please his wife. Madame Loisel, however, does not appreciate his attention, as she regards him as an unimportant figure in society, unable to afford to lead a luxurious lifestyle.

There is a third-person narration in the story, with an omniscient point of view, providing us with the innermost thoughts and feelings of the main characters. The conflict described by Maupassant in this short story revolves around Mathilde and the lost necklace. Striving to fit in with the members of high society, Madame Loisel is willing to borrow a diamond necklace from a friend, which she loses after the soirée. Due to her pride, she is unable to tell the truth. She is ashamed that they cannot afford to replace such expensive jewelry. Therefore, the conflict of the story is tied to the lost necklace and the couple’s desperate struggles to repay the debt, which leads them, in the end, to life in poverty, a complete opposite of what Mathilde has always wanted.

The Necklace is set in 19th-century Paris, the Belle Époque. It includes descriptions of middle-class interiors, as well as of high society’s lavish lifestyle. Material things are described through Mathilde’s daydreaming about the luxurious life she was meant to lead. Her actual surroundings are described as ugly and poor, making her suffer greatly. The atmosphere of the story could be seen as dynamic since it changes as the plot evolves. Before losing the necklace, the atmosphere seems rather light and ironic. The reader follows Mathilde’s “sorrows” with a hint of a smile, perceiving her capriciousness and the lack of appreciation for her husband’s affection as typical qualities in a vain young wife. However, after the necklace is lost, there is a substantial shift in the atmosphere. Superficial vanity gives way to the pride that drives the couple to the brink of poverty. The light atmosphere of the first part is followed by the gloomy atmosphere of the last part, with an ironic twist at the end, meant to stress the moral lesson.

The tone is the attitude the author conveys by presenting the events and characters in a certain way. Some aspects of linguistic features indicate the author’s ironic attitude towards the main heroine. For instance, his use of the words “suffer,” “insult,” “torment,” “despair,” and “misery” shows Mathilde’s vainness and her inability to appreciate her life. The husband’s rhetorical question at dinner, “What could be better?” contrasts with her dreams about a luxurious lifestyle. The second part of the story, where the couple is forced to work hard to pay off their debt, indicates the pride of the main heroine: “She played her part heroically” (Maupassant 793).

Aside from irony, Maupassant uses symbolism as a way to convey the central theme of the story. The necklace symbolizes the high society Mathilde is so eager to join. However, as the necklace turns out to be a mere imitation, it symbolizes the superficial nature of the upper class’ appeal. The fake necklace symbolizes the illusion that Madame Loisel is captivated by, eventually leading to a disastrous outcome. Thus, the story’s major theme lies in the idea that notions such as beauty, wealth, poorness, and happiness depend on an individual’s perception. The appearances of upper-class lifestyles were deceptive, just like Mathilde’s appearance at the soirée, where she was such a success. However, neither the necklace nor Mathilde’s seemingly luxurious appearance was genuine. This leads us to believe that Maupassant wanted to stress the importance of the illusory nature of appearances, in which the 19th-century French bourgeoisie was so immersed.

From a sociological/Marxist criticism standpoint, Madame Loisel is a member of the middle class, an aspiring member of the upper class, and, ultimately, a lower-class member. The inability to accept her position in society and a constant yearning for a wealthier life lead the couple to find themselves at the bottom of the social structure. The amount of expensive material possessions indicates the class the people belong to, as well as their social status. Mathilde is deceived by the superficial signs of wealth, leading to her becoming a servant class member.

The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant tells the story of a woman preoccupied with her desire to be wealthy and to belong to the upper class. The ironic twist at the end of the story renders her perception inconsistent with reality. As the plot unravels, the deceptiveness of appearances turns out to be the main reason for the disastrous outcome. 

Maupassant, Guy De. “The Necklace.” Short Fiction. Classic and Contemporary. Ed. Charles Bohner and Lyman Grant. Upper Saddle River: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006. 789-795. Print.

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2020, November 2). Literary Analysis of The Necklace: Essay Example. https://studycorgi.com/the-necklace-by-guy-de-maupassant/

"Literary Analysis of The Necklace: Essay Example." StudyCorgi , 2 Nov. 2020, studycorgi.com/the-necklace-by-guy-de-maupassant/.

StudyCorgi . (2020) 'Literary Analysis of The Necklace: Essay Example'. 2 November.

1. StudyCorgi . "Literary Analysis of The Necklace: Essay Example." November 2, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/the-necklace-by-guy-de-maupassant/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "Literary Analysis of The Necklace: Essay Example." November 2, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/the-necklace-by-guy-de-maupassant/.

StudyCorgi . 2020. "Literary Analysis of The Necklace: Essay Example." November 2, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/the-necklace-by-guy-de-maupassant/.

This paper, “Literary Analysis of The Necklace: Essay Example”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: August 24, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

• English Literature
• Short Stories
• Literary Terms
• Web Stories

The Necklace Summary, Characters and Themes

Table of Contents

The captivating world of Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace,” a timeless short story that explores the complexities of human desire, pride, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. First published in 1884, this narrative masterpiece remains a classic example of Maupassant’s keen understanding of human nature and his ability to craft poignant tales that resonate across generations.

“The Necklace” is set in 19th-century Paris and tells the story of Mathilde Loisel, a woman whose unquenchable desire for wealth and social acceptance leads her into a terrible chain of unfortunate events. We are encouraged to consider the ageless themes of image against truth, the fallout from pride, and the chase of material wealth as we delve into the details of this story.

The Necklace Summary

The narrative begins with an introduction to Mathilde Loisel, a charming and discontented young woman married to a clerk, Monsieur Loisel. Despite her husband’s modest income, Mathilde dreams of a life of luxury and social prominence. Her dissatisfaction with her middle-class status is exacerbated when Monsieur Loisel secures an invitation to a prestigious ball hosted by the Ministry of Education.

Mathilde’s excitement is quickly tempered by her realization that she lacks the appropriate attire for such an event. In desperation, she borrows an exquisite necklace from her friend Madame Forestier, believing that the borrowed jewelry will elevate her appearance and grant her access to the glamorous world she yearns for.

Mathilde is the picture of elegance and beauty at the event, mesmerizing the attendees and basking in the praise she gets. But when the couple gets home and realizes the borrowed necklace is missing, the evening takes a terrible turn. They choose to change the jewelry in a panic and not tell Madame Forestier.

To buy a new jewelry, the Loisels set out on a journey of financial difficulty. They borrow money, use up all of their resources, and endure ten long years of poverty in order to pay off the debt that the replacement necklace caused. Because of the stress, Monsieur Loisel aged too soon and Mathilde loses her attractiveness and charm.

In a twist of irony, Mathilde encounters Madame Forestier years later and confesses the truth about the lost necklace. To Mathilde’s surprise, Madame Forestier reveals that the original necklace was a mere imitation, worth only a fraction of the cost incurred for its replacement. The revelation shatters Mathilde’s illusions and exposes the futility of her decade-long sacrifice.

The story concludes with a reflection on the irony of fate and the consequences of Mathilde’s choices. Despite her relentless pursuit of wealth and social status, she finds herself worse off than before, realizing that the necklace she sacrificed so much for was, in fact, a symbol of her own undoing.

“The Necklace” is a powerful critique of societal expectations and the destructive nature of unbridled ambition. Mathilde Loisel’s relentless desire for material wealth and social recognition leads her down a path of deceit, financial ruin, and personal tragedy. The story exposes the illusion of appearances and the arbitrary nature of social hierarchies.

One of the central themes is the deceptive nature of appearances. Mathilde’s borrowed necklace becomes a symbol of the superficiality of social status. The necklace, initially perceived as a ticket to the upper echelons of society, turns out to be an imitation, highlighting the irony that the pursuit of material wealth is often based on illusion.

The narrative also explores the consequences of pride and vanity. Mathilde’s pride prevents her from appreciating the simple joys of her life and leads her to make decisions that result in her downfall. Her unwillingness to confess the loss of the necklace and her determination to replace it at any cost illustrate the destructive power of pride.

Also Read- Evaluate the short fiction of Interpreter of Maladies Guy De Maupassant Biography, Writing Style and Impact on Literature Evaluate the short fiction Of Geese

Maupassant employs situational irony to drive home the story’s moral. The necklace, which Mathilde believed to be a valuable piece of jewelry, turns out to be of little worth. This irony underscores the theme that the pursuit of material wealth and societal validation is often misguided and can lead to unforeseen and tragic consequences.

“The Necklace” is a cautionary tale that resonates across time and cultures, urging readers to reflect on the true meaning of happiness and the consequences of placing excessive value on material possessions. Through the character of Mathilde Loisel, Maupassant offers a poignant commentary on the human condition, reminding us of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of appreciating life’s simple pleasures.

The Necklace Characters

• The central character of the story, Mathilde Loisel is a discontented and ambitious young woman. Unhappy with her modest middle-class life, she dreams of wealth and social prominence. Her desire for material possessions and a higher social standing leads her to make a series of choices that have far-reaching consequences. Mathilde’s character serves as a reflection of the pitfalls of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of appearances.
• Monsieur Loisel is Mathilde’s husband, a simple and contented clerk. While he is happy with their modest life, he loves his wife deeply and strives to make her happy. Monsieur Loisel’s character contrasts with Mathilde’s relentless desire for wealth and serves as a source of support and stability throughout the story.
• Madame Forestier is a friend of Mathilde and the owner of the necklace that becomes the focal point of the narrative. She lends Mathilde the necklace for the grand ball, unaware of the consequences that will unfold. Madame Forestier’s character is crucial to the story’s resolution, as her revelation about the necklace’s true value adds a layer of irony to Mathilde’s decade-long sacrifice.

The Necklace Themes

• A central theme in “The Necklace” is the exploration of unbridled ambition and desire. Mathilde Loisel’s insatiable yearning for wealth and social status drives the narrative, leading her to make choices that have far-reaching consequences. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of material possessions.
• Pride and vanity play a significant role in the story, particularly in Mathilde’s character. Her refusal to accept her middle-class status and her desire to present an appearance of wealth and elegance to society reveal the destructive nature of pride. The consequences of her refusal to confess the loss of the necklace and her determination to replace it at any cost highlight the pitfalls of unchecked vanity.
• The theme of deception and illusion is woven throughout the narrative. The borrowed necklace, initially perceived as a valuable piece of jewelry, turns out to be an imitation. This twist of fate underscores the illusory nature of social status and material wealth. The story suggests that appearances can be deceiving and that the pursuit of external validation may lead to unforeseen and tragic consequences.
• The narrative employs situational irony to convey its message. The necklace, which Mathilde believed to be a valuable and precious possession, turns out to be of little worth. This irony of fate serves as a powerful commentary on the arbitrary nature of life and the unpredictability of outcomes. The twist in the story emphasizes the theme that the pursuit of material wealth is often misguided and can lead to unexpected and tragic results.
• The theme of sacrifice is prominent in the story, particularly in the sacrifices made by Monsieur and Mathilde Loisel to replace the lost necklace. The decade-long struggle, marked by financial hardship and personal sacrifice, highlights the consequences of choices driven by pride and the pursuit of societal validation. The story suggests that the sacrifices made in the name of appearances may not always lead to the desired outcome.
• Implicit in the narrative is a reflection on the nature of true happiness and contentment. Mathilde’s relentless pursuit of wealth and status prevents her from appreciating the simple joys of her life. The story encourages readers to reflect on the value of contentment and the consequences of prioritizing external validation over internal satisfaction.

Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace” is a classic literary work that explores human impulses, the fallout from unbridled ambition, and the false nature of social expectations. Readers are captivated into a story that transcends time as Mathilde Loisel’s journey develops, providing insightful commentary on pride, selflessness, and pursuing happiness.

The themes of ambition, pride, and the irony of fate resonate with readers, urging contemplation on the choices that shape our destinies. Mathilde’s decade-long sacrifice for an illusionary social status serves as a cautionary tale, inviting introspection into the value of contentment and the pitfalls of societal pressures.

“The Necklace” is a testament to Maupassant’s skill as a storyteller, employing symbolism and sarcasm to create a narrative that profoundly affects its readers. This short story challenges readers to think critically about society expectations, ponder the real sources of happiness, and weigh the effects of making decisions motivated by conceit.

As we come to the end of our trip through “The Necklace,” may its timeless lessons linger, encouraging us to face life’s challenges with humility, thankfulness, and the knowledge that genuine richness can be found in the little things in life.

What is the moral of “The Necklace”?

The moral of “The Necklace” centers around the consequences of unchecked ambition, pride, and the pursuit of societal validation. It suggests that true happiness may be found in contentment and that the relentless pursuit of material wealth and appearances can lead to unexpected and tragic outcomes.

Why is the necklace in the story significant?

The necklace in the story symbolizes the illusion of social status and the consequences of pride. Mathilde’s belief in the necklace’s value drives her choices, leading to a decade-long sacrifice. The necklace’s revelation as an imitation underscores the story’s theme that the pursuit of material possessions can be based on deception.

How does irony contribute to the story?

Irony is a crucial element in “The Necklace.” The borrowed necklace, believed to be valuable, turns out to be an imitation. This situational irony emphasizes the story’s message about the unpredictability of life and the arbitrary nature of societal expectations. The twist adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the disparity between appearance and reality.

What does the story say about societal expectations?

“The Necklace” critiques societal expectations, particularly the pressure to conform to perceived norms of wealth and status. Mathilde’s dissatisfaction with her middle-class life reflects the societal emphasis on appearances. The story encourages readers to question societal expectations and consider the true sources of fulfillment.

How does Mathilde’s character evolve throughout the story?

Mathilde’s character undergoes a transformation from discontent to tragic realization. Initially dissatisfied with her modest life, she becomes consumed by the desire for wealth and social status. The consequences of her choices, including a decade of sacrifice, lead to a profound change in her understanding of happiness and the true cost of vanity.

Related Posts

Washington Irving developing a American Fictional Prose

Henry David Thoreau is Shaping American Literature

Nathaniel Hawthorne is Shaping the Landscape of American Literature

Attempt a critical appreciation of The Triumph of Life by P.B. Shelley.

Consider The Garden by Andrew Marvell as a didactic poem.

Why does Plato want the artists to be kept away from the ideal state

MEG 05 LITERARY CRITICISM & THEORY Solved Assignment 2023-24

William Shakespeare Biography and Works

Discuss the theme of freedom in Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

How does William Shakespeare use the concept of power in Richard III

Analyze the use of imagery in William Shakespeare’s sonnets

Who is the author of “the eye of the sheep”, what is the role of humor in australian literature, in which novel does the character “lenny bartulin” appear, what cultural perspectives are evident in australian literature.

• Advertisement
• Privacy & Policy
• Other Links

© 2023 Literopedia

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Remember Me

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Necklace — The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant

The Necklace by Guy De Maupassant

• Categories: The Necklace

About this sample

Words: 617 |

Published: Feb 12, 2024

Words: 617 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

• Maupassant, Guy de. "The Necklace."

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 670 words

4 pages / 1725 words

7 pages / 3092 words

7 pages / 3276 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on The Necklace

The story of "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is a poignant reminder of the dangers of materialism and the allure of social status. The characters' preoccupation with appearances offers the reader a valuable lesson about the [...]

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 [...]

The Necklace, a short story by Guy Maupassant, is about a woman who spends and wastes her life trying to repay something that was not even real. The author presents the main themes, greediness and selfishness, through the [...]

The portrayal of groups of people in the media has consistently changed with the times. ‘Still I Rise’ and ‘The Necklace’ are both forms of writing that were written during contrasting periods and by two contrasting people. ‘The [...]

One of Guy De Maupassant's literary influences was Gustave Flaubert, who taught him to write. Flaubert's teaching principles suggested that the "writer must look at everything to find some aspect of it that no one has yet seen [...]

The two stories “The Queen of Spades” and “The necklace” talks about human obsession with money. The queen of spade story opens up by criticizing the game of cards among the group of junior army officers. This criticism is based [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Guy de Maupassant: “The Necklace” Essay

The necklace: introduction, deceptiveness of appearance, the necklace: conclusion, works cited.

Written by Guy de Maupassant in 1881, The Necklace is a captivating short story that ends in a surprise. It is the most eye-catching work of Maupassant with all words contributing to the events that the narrative unfolds. It has garnered him a lot of acknowledgment.

The tale is set in Paris, France specifically covering Loisel’s home and the neighborhoods, ministry of education inclusive. Employing the elements of literature, Maupassant has used characters like monsieur Loisel, a clerk in the ministry of education, Mathilde, Loisel’s wife, Madame Jeanne Forestier, Mathilde’s neighbor and friend, Housemaid, Mathilde’s house servant, among others.

The writer takes the reader through the life of these characters and in particular, the poor family of Loisel and the rich family of Forestier. It unfolds that the kind of life depicted by these two categories of people is far from the reality. This illustration builds up the prevailing theme of the narrative ‘the deceptiveness of appearance’, which the writer employs to show how people are deceived by the appearance of others.

Mathilde is a reasonably attractive girl regardless of her unfortunate family backgrounds. She regrets much owing to this poverty because she always compares herself with the other girls from well up homes. For instance, Forestier’s family is rich. She gets married to a mere government clerk. The ministry of education organizes a party for all its staff members, giving them a chance to invite their wives or husbands.

Ironically, thinking that this would thrill his wife, Loisel on delivering the invitation, realizes that it is more of a stress than joy to her. “Instead of being delighted, she threw the invitation on the table with disdain murmuring…” (Maupassant 39). The reason behind this is that she lacks elegant dresses and necklaces like other women, a case that makes her imagine how odd she can be if she attends the occasion.

They end up borrowing these from Forestier, but unfortunately the necklace gets lost after the event, an incidence that costs Loisel’s family virtually everything as they toil for ten years looking the money to purchase another one. They finally buy 36000 francs worthy necklace but on returning it to Forestier; she reveals its cost as just 500 francs. They are now in a severe financial crisis, though had they realized the truth, this would not be the case.

A major problem that the writer fails to clarify is whether Forestier resells the necklace to refund the extra money in order to reduce the debt incurred or not. This paves way to criticisms of his story, though he has managed to develop the dominant theme of the story. Mathilde stands out in the party as a rich and a high class wife owing to the diamond-appearing necklace that the people fail to realize that it was borrowed.

Still on this theme, Forestier’s family is depicted as financially stable. It can afford some of the expensive things that poor families imagine of. Forestier has, not only one but many of them, unlike her counterpart Mathilde.

She wears them when attending great occasions, a case that earns her a good deal of recognition from other people. This is what Mathilde is yearning for. She wants to appear like her friend. She wants people to view her as rich. The writer shows how she longs for a recognized family name as well as an expensive dowry. By this she feels that she will appear like other rich families.

She is pictured as one, who is ever working towards achieving this reality, though what she publicizes is not what is on the ground. For instance, in the party, she appears the most elegant, a situation that makes all people want to chat with her, owing to what they are seeing, an expensive looking dress and a diamond necklace, but little do they know about the truth of the matter.

Following the issue behind Forestier’s necklace, it stands out that it is not made of diamond as people perceive. Though what appears in their eyes is the diamond look on the necklace, the story ends when Forestier reveals that it is just a mere coating. To strengthen his theme, the writer wants to show how the rich end up deceiving other people through their possessions.

Most of them appear costly before the eyes of people but rarely are they in their real senses. The value attached to some items, owing to their appearance, turns out to be many times different from their real values. For instance, the necklace appears 72 times expensive. The writer succeeds in showing how people mistake the rich people.

They have been portrayed as just appearing as if they are rich, which is not the case. Worthy noting is that the writer does not clarify about the child who appears to walk with Forestier. It is not clear whether he is intending to elaborate his theme further by introducing images of people who are not real characters, or not. This again welcomes criticisms to his works.

Though dead and forgotten, Maupassant works speak volumes of his existence. The ideas behind his Necklace narrative stands out clear today. The issue of appearance is now everywhere with people struggling to hide their real selves in order to mislead others. Items have been manufactured bearing a false identity of others only to trick people. This is the kind of life that the writer was prophesying through the use of his major theme ‘the deceptiveness of appearance’ that he develops through the different characters.

Maupassant, Guy. “The Necklace” France: Word Press, 1881. P. 38-44.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2018, July 16). Guy de Maupassant: "The Necklace" Essay. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-necklace/

"Guy de Maupassant: "The Necklace" Essay." IvyPanda , 16 July 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/the-necklace/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Guy de Maupassant: "The Necklace" Essay'. 16 July.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Guy de Maupassant: "The Necklace" Essay." July 16, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-necklace/.

1. IvyPanda . "Guy de Maupassant: "The Necklace" Essay." July 16, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-necklace/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Guy de Maupassant: "The Necklace" Essay." July 16, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-necklace/.

• Crane's On the Open Boat vs. Maupassant's The Necklace
• Moral of “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
• The Short Story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant
• Views in "A Dove in Santiago: Anovella In Verse"
• Things Fall Apart: Collage of Ideas and Main Themes
• The Turn of the Screw
• The Peculiarities of Discussing the Theme of Death in Poetry and Prose
• Leo Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilyich": Characters Analysis

The Necklace

Guy de maupassant, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

An Often Unseen Setting Reappears

High jewelry designers are bringing metals back into view so the work is not just about the gemstone.

By Nazanin Lankarani

Reporting from Paris

Many designers working in the high jewelry sector take pride in crafting metallic settings that seem to disappear, allowing the color, fire and vivacity of extraordinary gemstones to shine through.

Luxury houses like Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier, among others, have patented their techniques for creating what is known as invisible settings. Skilled designers, including the India-based Viren Bhagat , can craft platinum settings so thin that the gemstones they hold appear to float on the skin.

But others are now reimagining the place of metal by incorporating it into their pieces as a standout, aesthetic element. This fresh approach opens new design avenues for once stone-focused designers while also challenging conventional perceptions of what makes high jewelry valuable.

“Metal is omnipresent at Louis Vuitton in the hardware of our trunks, in closures, in buckles,” Francesca Amfitheatrof, the house’s artistic director of watches and jewelry, said by phone from her studio in Bridgewater, Conn. “For us, metal is right up there in high jewelry’s pantheon of precious materials.”

The white gold and diamond-set Myriad necklace (price on application) reflects her design approach: She presented it at the Louis Vuitton flagship on the Place Vendôme during Haute Couture Week in Paris in January as part of the brand’s Deep Time collection.

“This piece is designed as a collar with a series of white gold nails set with a diamond at the tip,” Ms. Amfitheatrof said. “Much of the metal is naked, she added, meaning not covered by gems, “which is unusual for high jewelry, but it is still a piece that required months of development.”

“We make several 3-D models of the metallic structure to measure the fit, the weight, how the edges will sit, and what the underside will look like,” she said.

Another Deep Time piece, the Skin choker, is set with 83 pink and orange Umba sapphires from Tanzania weighing a total of 19.45 carats, and diamonds, all on a rose gold and platinum structure that was hand-carved and textured to resemble the scales of a snake.

“We used rose gold to soften the overall palette of colors against the sapphires, which worked beautifully,” Ms. Amfitheatrof said. “Rose gold is a rarely used metal in high jewelry, but I love the idea of being playful with metal.”

Playful as well as versatile.

“I think the visible presence of metal makes my high jewelry feel younger, more casual, and maybe even wearable in the daytime,” she said.

At Dior, Victoire de Castellane used an intertwined metallic framework in white gold to outline the asymmetrical contours of a diamond choker in her latest Dior Délicat collection. The precious metal was used to emulate the fluidity of fabric and the intricate delicacy of lace.

In Beirut, the Lebanese designer Selim Mouzannar combined rose gold with platinum in his Basilik chain necklace ($75,160) shown at the Bon Marché department store in Paris in February. The metals were formed into uneven chain links to form the body of a coiled snake set with 38.2 carats of diamonds and 1.62 carats of blue Ceylon sapphires. According to Mr. Mouzannar, the metal took 460 hours to handcraft and set, bringing fluidity to a complex piece.

“European designers, under the influence of Italians, have since the ’60s snubbed rose gold in high jewelry,” Mr. Mouzannar said by phone. “But I love the warmth of this metal. I find that it enhances every skin tone and doesn’t have the neutral quality of yellow gold.”

The Italian house of Buccellati, for example, has specialized in crafting yellow gold and silver high jewelry since its founding in 1919, inspired by Renaissance goldsmithing techniques to create delicate, lacy openwork and engraved or etched pieces.

“The rose color gives more spirit to the snake,” Mr. Mouzannar said. “It is a metal with a visceral significance for me. Growing up I bathed in its glow in the souk of Beirut. It’s part of my family’s history. ”

When it comes to exploring lighter-weight metals for more wearable pieces, nonprecious metals also are blazing new trails in high jewelry. The Munich-based Hemmerle has been using anodized aluminum to create a colorful metallic palette that is lightweight, tactile and luminous. The company regularly integrates the metal into one-of-a-kind creations set with extraordinary gemstones such as diamonds, aquamarines and tsavorites.

At the Palm Beach Show in February, the Indian jeweler Neha Dani presented the Tazlina necklace ($145,000), inspired by Alaskan glaciers, and set with white moonstones and diamonds. The piece’s framework was made from blue titanium, creating a deliberate contrast of colors to bring out the white of the diamonds and the iridescence of the gemstones.

“The blue titanium also underscores the three-dimensional structure of the piece by contouring the asymmetrical design,” Ms. Dani said in an interview. “It makes the diamonds and moonstones pop out. A white gold setting would not have the same effect.”

Titanium, lightweight and sturdy, allows Ms. Dani to create more intricate pieces without compromising on durability or comfort, she said, though the metal’s craftsmanship requires skill.

“A setter may set 30 diamonds per day on gold, but they can only set 15 stones on titanium,” Ms. Dani said. “The work takes twice as long.”

Titanium may be difficult to work with, she said, “but it allows more elaborate designs. It is a metal that suits my creative process, which is to design first, then choose the stones.”

At Graff, design director Anne-Eva Geffroy takes the opposite approach. “For us, the star is always the stone,” Ms. Geffroy said by phone from London. “We treat the metal in harmony with the stone to create a composition and architecture dictated by that stone.”

Still, new pieces from Graff, like a 32.66-carat diamond solitaire ring set on a twisting platinum base, reflect a visible presence of metal.

“The metal is curved to direct the eye to follow the shape of the stone,” Ms. Geffroy said. “It is present but crafted to create a dynamic movement as it contours the stone and invites you to dive into the beauty of the diamond.”

Next year, Ms. Geffroy said, Graff is planning to showcase new uses of metal, in “light, strong and very thin settings that push the boundaries of Graff’s savoir-faire.”

“Technology has given us new ways of approaching metal,” she said. “We want to make metal a part of the story, rather than just a support for the stone.”

“I think metal has a long life in front of it,” she said.

Hip-hop bling is the thing at a luminous new jewelry exhibit

“Ice Cold” celebrates the cultural impact and brilliant style of rappers from Run-DMC to the Notorious B.I.G.

H ip-hop jewelry has gone by many names over the past 50 years . “Bling-bling” crystallized into “ice,” which melted into “drip” as rappers went from adorning their necks with gold chains and knuckles with four-finger rings to decking out their teeth and wrists in diamonds. One-upping your opponent in a rap battle couldn’t be done with lyrical prowess alone. You also had to look fly. As inner-city rappers sought global respect for their street poetry as a reputable art form throughout the ’80s and ’90s, so too did up-and-coming immigrant jewelers who found a commonality in their hustle to attain the American Dream.

At New York City’s American Museum of Natural History, 66 culturally priceless heirlooms are now on display as part of “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry.” Sean M. Decatur, the museum’s president, told The Washington Post “Ice Cold” was a “natural fit” for the Meister Gallery inside the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, which has previously hosted three jewelry-themed exhibits. To him, the gems “tell an interesting broader cultural story.”

“When you are from a people who come from a history where the right to express one’s identity was constantly being questioned, challenged and diminished, it takes on special meaning to present yourself in a particular way that is so deeply tied into one’s own understanding of self,” Decatur said of the pieces that reflect Black and Latino diasporic experiences.

Old-school fans will recognize Public Enemy’s ’80s leather medallion featuring its logo of a Black man caught in the crosshairs of a gun sight to raise awareness about police brutality. Aficionados will spot the legendary yellow gold Jesus piece that the Notorious B.I.G. rapped about in his 1997 hit “Hypnotize.” Onlookers can “lean back” and admire Fat Joe’s 14-karat white gold and diamond Terror Squad logo necklace to learn about how hip-hop crews grew into music collectives by the early ’00s.

“Ice Cold” is an extension of hip-hop journalist Vikki Tobak’s 2022 coffee-table book of the same name, which features more than 300 pages of classic photos and heartfelt essays showcasing what “stuntin’” really means to rappers. The author, who worked as director of publicity and marketing at Payday Records in the ’90s, felt it was important for fans and critics alike to see physical representations of hip-hop’s undeniable presence up close.

“The fact that it’s inside of this museum that’s dedicated to the history of mankind, I really saw the magnitude of placing this kind of work in that kind of context and putting all these new eyes on it,” Tobak said.

W ith cases named after songs such as “Money, Power & Respect” and “U See Us,” the curator emphasized that the jewels don’t necessarily signify decadence. “Ice Cold” shows a kaleidoscopic spectrum of stories — from the time when making it was “all a dream” to memorializing a fallen friend.

“Artists have fully stepped into their power,” Tobak said. “They really understand that what they wear is often just as important as their music. ‘U See Us,’ is named after the Nipsey [Hussle] song, and it’s meant to speak to how all eyes now are on hip-hop for everything — style, fashion, music, politics even.”

The Style section

Tobak, whose family immigrated from Kazakhstan to Detroit in the ’70s, thinks “Ice Cold” is especially timely as the gatekeepers of couture fashion houses and legacy jewelers have not only welcomed tastemakers such as A$AP Ferg and Tyler, the Creator into the fold, but have also taken inspiration from classic hip-hop chain styles.

“You think about the way that hip-hop has been embraced by the luxury world just in the past 10 years and what it means for jewelry,” Tobak said. “Certain link styles you’re starting to see in mainstream culture. I think we needed this past 10 years to tell that additional layer.”

A$AP Ferg’s finery

F erg, a founding member of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective, used to walk past Tiffany & Co.’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue on his way home to Harlem from the High School of Art and Design. “When you don’t have the money to actually buy something, you don’t feel comfortable walking through these stores,” he said. As a teenager, then known as Darold Ferguson Jr., he designed crystal-studded pendants that got his friends robbed due to how realistic they looked. In 2018, Ferg made history as Tiffany’s first hip-hop brand ambassador.

At “Ice Cold,” the “Plain Jane” rapper’s 18-karat white gold and diamond Tiffany T bracelet glistens next to a more sentimental piece — a custom IF & Co. “Yamborghini” necklace. Inspired by the Lamborghini logo, the Ben Baller -designed pendant is made of 14-karat white gold with 65 carats of white VVS diamonds and a custom Hermes link diamond chain to honor the late Mob member A$AP Yams. Ferg said designing and buying chains is “just another extension of your soul.”

“Whenever I buy jewelry, it has a purpose,” Ferg said. “[We’re] not just spending mad bread on things. We’re mimicking our forefathers. You think about Egypt, the gods, King Tut, Mansa Musa — the richest man in the world — Black man. We’re just mimicking who we are. We’re kings and queens.”

Roc-A-Fella Records logo pendant

W hen Jay-Z raps “got the hottest chick in the game wearin’ my chain,” Roc Nation senior vice president Lenny “Lenny S” Santiago flashes back to the moment he snapped a photo of Beyoncé sporting her husband’s Roc-A-Fella necklace. The 14-karat rose gold and diamond pendant, made by the often name-dropped Jacob “the Jeweler” Arabo, depicts the record label’s iconic logo — a vinyl record with a bottle of champagne and a cursive letter R.

“It represents what Roc was,” Santiago said. “They were getting money, they were buying jewelry, they were popping champagne. That logo became so famous because of what was built. So, forget about what the actual emblem is. It’s what it represents . And it represented independence. When you look at it, you think of the whole Roc-A-Fella to Roc Nation empire.”

Jam Master Jay’s Adidas pendant

B ack in 1986, when kids wanted to sport Run-DMC’s signature Kangol hats and tracksuits, Bronx native Santiago said he was more intrigued by the group’s ability to broker hip-hop’s first endorsement deal with Adidas. His sentiment comes full circle at “Ice Cold,” where Jam Master Jay’s 14-karat yellow gold chain with a black enamel Adidas pendant is featured in the exhibit’s entryway case.

Today, he admires how hip-hop artists have used their business acumen to take the B-boy from the streets to the C-suite, with high-profile collaborations between the likes of Pharrell Williams and Louis Vuitton.

“Nobody would have thought [of] that in the ’70s and ’80s when rappers were just wearing thick gold rope chains,” Santiago said.

Nicki Minaj’s Barbie pendant

I ndian jeweler Ashna Mehta created Minaj’s 2022 18-karat white gold Barbie pendant encrusted in 54.47 carats of diamonds and bright pink enamel. She said via email the exhibit recognizes “how the tradition of adornment is alive and well in modern times.” The heiress to the Indian-Belgian jewelry company Rosy Blue grew up in New York and Dubai, where she said hip-hop’s irresistible style was fully embraced across cultures.

“The pieces are not just accessories,” Mehta said. “They are historical artifacts of our time. As a woman in this industry, creating for another woman who has carved her path in such a male-dominated field is profoundly meaningful. It’s more than just adornment. It’s a celebration of feminine strength, resilience and leadership.”

Pendants with pizazz

D esigner Alex Moss believes his craftsmanship sets a new standard for sophistication. The Toronto native of Armenian descent thinks “Ice Cold” makes a statement that hip-hop jewelry is “art at the highest level.”

“It’s in the same room they’ve had exhibits for Van Cleef, for Cartier, for Harry Winston,” Moss said. “The times are changing. It’s not about 100-year-old jewelry anymore. This is today’s jewelry.”

“Ice Cold” features some of Moss’s most notable pieces, such as A$AP Rocky’s 14-karat gold EXO grenade pendant clock, Drake’s 18K white gold “Crown Jewel of Toronto” pendant with yellow and blue diamonds and Burmese rubies and the bellhop pendant for Tyler, the Creator. The $500,000 14-karat gold pendant and chain has 186 carats in diamonds, 60 carats in sapphires and more than 23,000 handset stones.

“After I put that one out, I think everyone pretty much woke up and said, ‘Who is this kid?’” Moss said.

Pharrell Williams’s grillz

U nlike Moss, who entered the jewelry industry in 2016 without any contacts, 27-year-old grill maker Elan Pinhasov grew up in the family business — Gabby Elan Jewelry. His father, Gabriel, immigrated from Israel in 1990, and over the years, he used his dental training to design more comfortable, custom mouthpieces for the likes of Ol’ Dirty Bastard from the Wu-Tang Clan, Dua Lipa, J Balvin and, most recently, Rihanna . But one particular customer can’t get enough of Gabby Elan designs. “Ice Cold” features two blinged-out grillz owned by Pharrell — a 14-karat white gold set with ruby pavé surrounded by white pavé diamonds from 2006 that Pinhasov estimates cost Williams about $10,000, and a 22-karat yellow gold set with yellow natural pavé diamonds from 2021 for $40,000.

“The [yellow diamond] set I think was originally intended for the Met Gala,” Pinhasov said, noting that the artist wanted bigger stones than those placed in the initial design. “So we have this set [at the exhibit] as kind of like a prototype, and the set that he currently has, has diamonds that are twice the size.”

Pinhasov said his father spent decades making a name for himself in the heart of Brooklyn at Albee Square Mall, formerly a hip-hop hot spot for jewels and rap battles. But the young designer encouraged him to move the business to the Diamond District in October 2018 to keep up with the competition. Having spent summers, weekends and even after-school hours selling gems since 2013, Pinhasov doesn’t see the flashy ornaments as a fading trend anytime soon.

“You can wear the most expensive watch, you can wear the most expensive shoe, any piece of jewelry, but everyone’s first impression is looking at someone’s face,” Pinhasov said. “If they smile and see a magnificent set of grillz, it sticks your attention to that forever.”

“Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” runs through Jan. 5, 2025. American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, New York. Tickets for nonresidents from $16 to $28. www.amnh.org .