Chapter 1.5 – The Necklace
At the beginning of the story, we meet Mathilde Loisel, a middle-class girl who desperately wishes she were wealthy. When invited to a party, she feels that she doesn’t have anything nice to wear with her new dress. Therefore, she borrows a gorgeous diamond necklace but loses it. Buying the replacement necklace pushes the Loisels into poverty for the next ten years.
In the end, it is revealed to Mathilde that the necklace she lost was actually fake. Like “wealth,” the necklace is the object of Mathilde’s mad desire. Perhaps this revelation at the end that the necklace was an imitation is meant to mirror the impossible nature of Mathilde’s dream of wealth.
Part 1:
rapturously : with great joy
panic-stricken : with a sudden feeling of fear
distraught : worried, disturbed
Part 2:
cloak : a garment worn over other clothes. It has no sleeves and fastens at the neck.
glimmer : faint, wavering light
jewel : Here, it means the diamond necklace.
ruinous : leading to a heavy loss, ruin
sou : French coin of low value used in the past
garret : a small, uncomfortable room at the top of the house.
brooded : thought sadly, unhappily
familiarly : showing closeness, familiarity
∗ ∗ ∗ Warming up! ∗ ∗ ∗
Talking about Myself
Write a few lines about yourself – your name, appearance, family, the place where you live, your school, your friends, neighbours, relatives, your likes, dislikes, hobbies, what you are good at, etc.
Now create an imaginary ‘persona’ for yourself. It can be quite different from your real self. Or, you may choose a fictional character – a character from a novel, story, etc. Write a few lines about this imaginary persona and introduce yourself in that role.
Ans:
Real Self
Hi! I am Amaan, a 14-year-old boy. I live in Kurla in a flat with my parents and two siblings. Our house has a lovely backyard, perfect for playing with friends. I attend St. Mary’s High School, where I have a close-knit group of buddies. Our neighbours are kind, and I cherish my fun-loving relatives who often visit. I enjoy playing football and video games, but not a fan of math! My hobbies include reading sci-fi books and sketching. I’m quite good at problem-solving and making people laugh.
Imaginary Persona
Hi, I am 14 years old, and my days are exciting! I awaken early to the chirping of happy birds, getting ready for school. I enjoy studying lessons with my buddies by my side, and we laugh together. I continue to pursue my passion for art after school by painting and drawing. Evenings are for spending time with my parents, two siblings, and eating dinner together. Before dozing off to dreamland, where fantastical adventures await, the evening brings comfortable reading sessions. For me, life is an exciting trip!
My Dream Possession
Is there something that you would like to own more than anything else? Describe your dream possession with the help of the following points. You may add your own points, too.
Ans:
Part 1
∗ ∗ ∗ In Between the Lesson ∗ ∗ ∗
Q1. Why was Mathilde married to a ‘minor official’?
Ans: Mathilde was married to a minor official because she had no means of becoming known, understood, loved, or wedded to an aristocrat.
Q2. Why did Mathilde weep with misery after visiting her schoolmate?
Ans: Mathilde would weep with regret, despair, and misery after visiting her schoolmate, as the schoolmate was rich while she was not.
Q3. What did the envelope hold?
Ans: The envelope held an invitation from The Minister of Education and Mme. Georges Rampouneau for M. and Mme. Loisel.
Q4. Was the husband a considerate person? How do we know that?
Ans: Yes, the husband was a considerate person. He had been saving the exact amount of money that Mathilde wanted to buy the dress with to buy a gun for a hunting summer in the country near Nanterre with a few friends. Yet he was selfless and gave the money to Mathilde.
Q5. Why did Mathilde go to her friend’s house and tell her of her distress?
Ans: She went to her friend’s house and told her of her distress, as she was not convinced of the solution given by her husband.
Q6. What did Madame Forestier’s large box contain?
Ans: Madame Forestier’s large box contained jewellery like a pearl necklace and some bracelets.
Q7. Which sentences tell us that Mathilde greatly desired the necklace?
Ans: “Her heart began to beat with uncontrolled desire. Her hands trembled as she took it. She fastened it around her neck and stood lost in ecstasy as she looked at herself.” These sentences tell us that Mathilde greatly desired the necklace.
Q8. Try to express the thoughts that must have passed through Mathilde’s mind on seeing the necklace, in Mathilde’s own words.
Ans: “Oh my God, I have found exactly what I wanted! Now I can go to the party and look beautiful. I hope Madame Forestier gives it to me. I will request that she let me borrow it.”
Q9. Think and answer:
Why did Mathilde not notice the loss of her necklace earlier?
Ans: Mathilde was the prettiest woman at the party. When Mathilde realized that, she felt so happy that she danced wildly with passion and forgot about everything else. She didn’t even notice the loss of her necklace, as it wasn’t important at that moment of happiness.
∗ ∗ ∗ ENGLISH WORKSHOP ∗ ∗ ∗
1. Read each of the following sentences aloud. Write who said it and to whom.
(a) “Look, here’s something for you.”
Ans: M. Liosel said these words to Mathilde.
(b) “Why, the dress you go to the theatre in !”
Ans: M. Liosel said these words to Mathilde.
(c) “I would rather not go to the party.”
Ans: Mathilde said these words to M. Liose.
(d) “Choose, my dear.”
Ans: Madame Forestier said these words to Mathilde.
(e) “You have nothing else?”
Ans: Mathilde said these words to Madame Forestier.
(f) “Would you lend me this, just this?”
Ans: Mathilde said these words to Madame Forestier.
(g) “What ! … how ! … That’s impossible! ”
Ans: M. Loisel said these words to Mathilde.
2. Write a few lines about what Mathilde had and what she dreamt about.
Ans: Mathilde was a pretty and charming girl. She was born into a family of clerks. She wanted to be married to an aristocrat, but she was married to a minor official at the Ministry of Education. She dressed plainly, but she dreamed of rich dresses and jewels. She wanted so much to be charmed, to be envied, to be sought after. She lived in a shabby, poorly furnished house. She dreamed of a grand, palatial mansion with vast rooms and inviting smaller rooms, perfumed for afternoon chats with close friends.
3. Write what you think about the following thoughts and actions of Mathilde.
(a) Mathilde was beautiful, and so she wanted to marry an aristocrat.
Ans: Mathilde wished that her beauty would guarantee that she would marry a rich aristocrat.
(b) Mathilde was sad because she did not get any luxuries.
Ans: Mathilde was so convinced that she was meant to be rich that she detested her real life.
(c) Mathilde felt that her house was shabby and poorly furnished.
Ans: Mathilde dreamt of living in a palatial mansion with vast rooms and therefore hated her comparatively small and shabby house.
(d) Mathilde wanted other people to envy her.
Ans: Mathilde wanted to be the centre of attraction and wished that others would be attracted to her and would envy her.
(e) Mathilde was not happy to see the invitation.
Ans: Mathilde wanted to be the centre of attraction at the event and wanted to be so well dressed that she would be the most sought after.
(f) Mathilde wanted a new dress for herself.
Ans: Mathilde was quite selfish not to consider that her husband had been saving money to buy a hunting gun and yet she wanted it to buy a new dress for just one party
(g) Mathilde borrowed a diamond necklace from her friend and wore it to the party.
Ans: Mathilde wanted to look good at all costs and therefore did not think twice before borrowing a necklace from her friend.
(h) Mathilde lost the necklace.
Ans: Mathilde was so engrossed in being the centre of attraction at the party that she carelessly didn’t notice the loss of the necklace.
4. Prepare a formal invitation using the following format:
Ans:
Mr and Mrs Mehra solicit the pleasure of your company on the occasion of the wedding ceremony of their daughter on 24th December, 2017 (Sunday).
Venue: Taj Mahal Palace and Towers (Fort, Mumbai)
Time: 10.30 am
Kindly respond till 31st October, 2017.
Yes, I will be there _______________
No, Regretfully I won’t be able to attend _______________
Presents in Blessing only
5. Read the following :
- The necklace
- an error
- all these things
- another woman
- one evening
- her husband
In all these phrases we see some words used before the nouns.
They specify or make it clear what noun we are talking about. These words that are used at the beginning of a noun phrase are known as determiners.
Determiners include articles (a, an, the), possessive pronouns (my, our, your, her, etc.), demonstratives (words like this, that), quantifiers (much, many, etc.), numerals, etc.
Write your phrases using each type of determiner.
Ans:
(1) Articles:
(i) the book
(ii) an elephant
(2) Possessive pronouns:
(i) my shirt
(ii) your car
(3) Demonstratives:
(i) these sweets
(ii) those moments
(4) Quantifiers:
(i) many students
(ii) few benches
(5) Numerals:
(i) three doors
(ii) seven horses
Part 2
∗ ∗ ∗ In Between the Lesson ∗ ∗ ∗
Q1. What efforts did Loisel make to find the necklace?
Ans: Monsieur and Madame Loisel looked everywhere for the necklace. Morsieur Loisel left and searched the entire route that they had taken. He went to the newspaper to offer a reward after going to the police. He even went to the cab companies, as they thought they left it in the cab but couldn’t remember its number.
Q2. Note the expressions:
glimmer of hope
sick with grief and anguish
Ans:
Glimmer of hope: A glimmer of hope is the belief that there is a slight chance that something positive will happen.
Sick with grief and anguish: Sick is a word that gives the meaning of physical or mental illness, grief is the meaning of sadness or sorrow and anguish gives the meaning of pain and suffering.
Q3. What is implied in ‘a hollow, pale figure’?
Ans: The hollow and pale figure of M. Loisel implies that he had lost all hope as he had not found the necklace. He had searched the whole night, as he had walked the entire route. He must have been extremely tired, as he was sleepless the entire night, as they had just returned from the party. After losing all hopes of finding the necklace, M. Loisel looked hollow and pale.
Q4. What was the arrangement with the jeweller? Do you think it was fair?
Ans: The Loisels begged the jeweller not to sell the necklace for three days. And they made an arrangement that he would take it back for 34 thousand francs if the other necklace was found before the end of February. I think it was fair, as the jeweller would be in profit by gaining money and the necklace back in two days.
Q5. Discuss :
Why did Madame Forestier speak coldly to Mathilde?
Ans: Madame Forestier had given her necklace to Mathilde for the party, but Mathilde returned it after more than a week. Also, as per the lie told by Mathilde, she had broken the clasp and had it mended. Maybe Madame Forestier didn’t like the fact that her property wasn’t taken care of by her friend. She also mentioned that she might have needed the necklace earlier, so Madame Forestier speaks coldly to Mathilde.
Q6. What is meant by ‘the horrible life of the very poor’?
Ans: Unlike the rich, the poor cannot afford the luxury of life and have to face many difficulties due to a shortage of funds. Even the Loisel had to face many hardships due to poverty, like dismissing their maid and changing their lodgings. Mathilde had to do all her chores while her husband had to work extra so that they could pay some loans.
Q7. What contrast is implied by the use of the word ‘still’ in ‘still young, still beautiful, still charming’?
Ans: In the story, Mathilde had to live a life of poverty for ten years and face many hardships, which resulted in her looking old. Even mentally, she broods over the past. While Madame Forestier, who is still rich and lives a luxurious life, stays young, beautiful, and charming.
Q8. Why did Mathilde decide to speak to her friend?
Ans: Mathilde felt emotional. Also, she had paid all her past dreadful debts. So she decided to speak to her friend so that she could tell her all about the real story behind the lost necklace.
Q9. Discuss:
Who do you think was responsible for Mathilde’s misery? Was it her friend, she herself, her husband or the circumstances?
Ans: I think Mathilde was herself responsible for her misery. Instead of being happy and satisfied with what she had, she was greedy, which led her to borrow the necklace from her friend. Then, when she lost it, instead of being truthful, she decided to hide the truth and replace the jewel. Had she spoken to her friend openly about it, she wouldn’t have had to go through all the misery. Hence, it is said “Honesty is the best policy”.
∗ ∗ ∗ ENGLISH WORKSHOP ∗ ∗ ∗
1. Complete the following table.
Ans:
2. Write what you think about the following thoughts and actions of Mathilde:
(a) Mathilde despaired over the loss of her necklace.
Ans: Mathilde was frightened that she had lost a valuable necklace and would have to replace it. She realized her mistake in borrowing such a valuable jewel. Anyone else in her place would have felt the same.
(b) Mathilde wrote a note to her friend as dictated by her husband.
Ans: I think that Mathilde realized her foolishness and was now willing to listen to whatever her husband said to make up for the loss of the necklace.
(c) Mathilde and her husband decided to replace the necklace.
Ans: Yes, that was the right thing to do, for Mathilde had borrowed the necklace. Madame Forestier had been generous enough to give it to Mathilde and could not allow her friend to suffer a loss because of her foolishness.
(d) Mathilde returned the diamond necklace to her friend.
Ans: There was no other option for her under the circumstances. Mathilde was foolish but honest. She also had enough pride not to want to be in debt.
(e) Mathilde did not tell her friend about the loss and replacement.
Ans: I think that Mathilde was proud and did not want to accept her carelessness in front of her friend.
(f) Mathilde worked very very hard to pay the debt.
Ans: I appreciate Mathilde for working very hard, even though she did not like it. She did this in order to pay off the debt she had gotten into because of her foolishness in borrowing the necklace.
(g) Mathilde and her husband paid off the debt in ten years.
Ans: I respect both Mathilde and her husband for working so hard for so many years and living in poverty in order to pay off the debt. They did not take an easy way out.
(h) Mathilde told her friend about the lost necklace.
Ans: Maybe it was a foolish action on Mathilde’s part. Mathilde will now feel terrible when she knows that she wasted ten years of her life struggling to replace the imitation necklace.
3. Form pairs. Discuss how ‘Part II’ of the story could have been different. Write your storyline in the form of bullets showing the main events.
Ans:
- Mathilde and her husband find the necklace, but its clasp is broken.
- They went to a jeweller to fix it.
- They asked the jeweller for an approximate price for the necklace.
- They find that it was an imitation.
- Mathilde gets disappointed when her friend gives her a fake necklace.
4. Imagine what must have happened after Mathilde’s friend discovered that the diamonds were real. Do you think she would return the necklace to Mathilde? Would that make Mathilde happy?
Ans: I think Mme. Forestier was a good friend, and she would definitely give the necklace back, especially after realising the sufferings faced by the Loisels for ten years to pay for it. But in this ten years’ time, Mathilde has learned the value of things, and realised the importance of small things, and realized that she doesn’t need material things to be happy. But after receiving the necklace back, the standard of living of the Loisels will certainly improve as they no longer need to live in extreme poverty. This would certainly make Mathilde happy.
5. Discuss the following and write about each in your own words in 5-6 lines.
(a) What would you do, if something like this happens to you?
Ans: I would honestly tell the person that I had lost or misplaced their belongings. And I would gladly replace it at whatever cost to myself. This is not just the better way out of it, but it also avoids confusions like in the story.
(b) What opinion do you form about Mathilde’s husband from her story?
Ans: Mathilde’s husband was a very supportive and loving person. Though he did not earn much, he wanted to give the best to his wife and tried to fulfil all the wishes.
(c) Which events in the story (Part I and Part II) changed Mathilde’s life?
Ans:
(i) When Mathilde and her husband receive an invitation to a party.
(ii) When she is lent a diamond necklace by her friend to wear at the party.
(iii) When she loses her necklace
(iv) When they find a replacement and have to pay 36 thousand francs for it.
(v) When they lose whatever little comfort they had in their lives to repay all the loans.
6. Read, recall and remember. Read the table of verb forms given below.
- The base form is used as an infinitive : You may go. She will go; in orders : Go home; and in the simple present tense : I go to school. We go home. Do you go there every day? The children/They go up, etc.
- Note that we use the ‘-s form’ with ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘it’, third person singular subjects to show the simple present.
- The past tense form has ‘-ed’ at the end. But many commonly used verbs have different past tense forms.
Examples : came, went, spoke.
- The ‘-ing’ form is known as the present participle. It is used with forms of ‘be’ to show continuous action –
Examples : I am eating. You were eating. She was eating.
- It is also used in certain constructions like : He sat copying a manuscript.
- The past participle used with forms of ‘have’ shows completed action –
Examples : I have eaten. They have come, etc.
- It is also used in certain constructions like, ‘They looked at each other, stunned!’
- It is also used in passive constructions.
(a) Make a table of verb forms for your own reference. Try to arrange the verbs in alphabetical order. Keep adding new verbs to your table from time to time. When you write, check your work to see whether you have used the correct verb form.
(b) List at least 10 verbs, the last letter of which is doubled in the present participle.
Example : put – putting
Ans:
stop – stopping
begin – beginning
chat – chatting
plan – planning
rub – rubbing
cut – cutting
let – letting
knit – knitting
dub – dubbing
slip – slipping
(c) List at least 10 verbs, the last letter of which is doubled in the past participle.
Example : write – written
Ans:
beg – begged
stop – stopped
plan – planned
slap – slapped
drop – dropped
rub – rubbed
pin – pinned
rot – rotted
slip – slipped
flip – flipped
(d) List at least 10 verbs, the last letter of which is doubled in the past tense form.
Example : sob – sobbed.
Ans:
blur – blurred
chip – chipped
control – controlled
counsel – counselled
crib – cribbed
dim – dimmed
dip – dipped
drag – dragged
drop – dropped
grab – grabbed
7. Read : ‘The Gift of the Magi’ by O. Henry.
Ans: Students must do this on their own.