“THE NECKLACE” Guy de maupassant ENGLISH 9A NOVEMBER 2013

Worked as a clerk for the Navy dept., keeping records and accounts b. 1850 in Normandy, France into a wealthy bourgeois (middle-class) family Met the writer Gustave Flaubert, a friend of his mom’s, as a teen. Flaubert would become a major influence on his writing Worked as a clerk for the Navy dept., keeping records and accounts Wrote the majority of his 300 short stories in his thirties. “The Necklace” (“La Parure” was published in the newspaper Le Gaulois in 1884). Never married; became more reclusive as he grew older and was institutionalized after attempting suicide in 1891 Contracted syphilis in his youth; died in 1893 and was buried in Cimetiere du Montparnasse, Paris born in the Chateau de Miromesnil; mom separated from his dad in 1861 and passed on her love of literature to her son short stories (The Horla, Boule de Suif) and some novels (Bel Ami) Never married (perhaps b/c fear of being abandoned by a loved one like he was by his dad?) Syphilis may have led to his dementia later in life; http://readingbreak.com/W/GdM/Guy-de_Maupassant.1.jpg http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/M/Guy-de-Maupassant-37772-1-402.jpg

REALISM IN LITERATURE Began in mid-nineteenth century France Everyday events hold deeper meaning Centered on middle class characters—how they lived, what they valued Portrayed actions and consequences with very little or no commentary/judgment

SETTING: An apartment on the Rue des Martyrs, circa 1884

SETTING: A high society ball held by the Minister of Education http://aforsay.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/News_GalaUpdate_1000x498.jpg Note to SS that these would be the kinds of dresses Mme. Loisel would be looking to emulate

An embankment along the River Seine Embankment= a stone wall built to prevent a river from flooding an area The Champs-Élysées is a highly fashionable tree-lined street in Paris where people go to see and be seen The carriages in this photo are called broughams. Embankment= a stone wall built to prevent a river from flooding an area

THE BOURGEOISIE Members focus on acquiring wealth and moving up in society Consumerism/materialism: everything can be bought, including status Members use material objects to announce their class/wealth and to separate themselves from the working classes (the proletariat) http://www.dressspace.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Immagine3.jpg

CHARACTERS + P.O.V. (THIRD PERSON) MATHILDE LOISEL= pretty but poor protagonist; lives a life she thinks is beneath her and is mostly miserable. MONSIEUR LOISEL= Mathilde’s devoted husband; works as a civil servant (government employee) MME. JEANNE FORESTIER= Mathilde’s rich friend from school; lets Mathilde borrow one of her diamond necklaces http://24.media.tumblr.com/59e81b18d3c7ecb37a382b8301f9f20b/tumblr_mjcjdyou9N1rbuhr4o1_500.jpg

PREVIEW OF CONFLICT She was born one of those pretty, charming young women who are born, as if by an error of Fate, into a petty official’s family. She had no dowry, no hopes, not the slightest chance of being appreciated, understood, loved, and married by a rich and distinguished man; so she slipped into marriage with a minor civil servant at the Ministry of Education. How do the underlined words hint at problems to come in the story? Have SS look up the definitions of “petty” (low-ranking, secondary) and “dowry” (property/money brought by bride to give to husband on their marriage) Mme. Loisel’s happiness is tied to her social status. How much control do we have over our social status? How much control do we have over our own happiness?

This is what Mme. Loisel’s life is like … http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/752/flashcards/2097752/jpeg/interior-the-rape-1869-11350265722510.jpeg

This is what Mme. Loisel wishes her life was like … Ask SS= which set of images fits the lifestyle you’d prefer? Tell your neighbor what material objects would represent the life you’d prefer (the way Mme. Loisel gives us a list of furnishings and accoutrements she’d be happier living among) http://www.albertopinto.com/Photos/HotelParticulierparis1.jpg

PREVIEW OF THEME Mathilde’s hunger for a better life will lead to consequences for both her and her husband. As you read, think about: What does she have to lose? What is she willing to give up for what she wants? What would you be willing to give up for what you want? http://www.abcgallery.com/T/toulouse-lautrec/toulouse_lautrec156.jpg

SYMBOLS The Diamond Necklace http://data2.whicdn.com/images/67674996/large.jpg http://bookhaven.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Joan_of_arc.jpg The Diamond Necklace Martyrs (people who suffer/die for their beliefs

SITUATIONAL IRONY: An event occurs that directly contradicts expectations of characters and readers; the outcome of some story action isn’t what is expected Situational irony in “The Story of an Hour”: we, like the characters, don’t expect Brently Mallard to still be alive at the end

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT What does the diamond necklace of the title symbolize to Mme. Loisel? What does the necklace symbolize to its owner? Who do you think is responsible for the way the story turns out? How does this relate to the theme of the story? Why do authors use irony in their fiction? Why does Maupassant use situational irony in this story?