Question

Write what you think about the following thoughts and actions of Mathilde :

(a) Mathilde despaired over the loss of her necklace.

(b) Mathilde wrote a note to her friend as dictated by her husband.

(c) Mathilde and her husband decided to replace the necklace.

(d) Mathilde returned the diamond necklace to her friend.

(e) Mathilde did not tell her friend about the loss and replacement.

(f) Mathilde worked very very hard to pay the debt.

(g) Mathilde and her husband paid off the debt in ten years.

(h) Mathilde told her friend about the lost necklace.

Answer 1

a) She had borrowed the necklace from her friend for the party and lost it by night. In spite of Loisel retracing their steps and enquiring at the police station, cab companies and newspaper offices as well as offering rewards for it, they weren’t able to find the necklace. Thus, she was distressed.

b) Mathilde wrote a letter to her friend as dictated by her husband to buy her some time in order to get the replacement necklace. She did not have the courage to face her friend and therefore chose this passive response.

c) Since they could not find the necklace and none of the companies had replied to them, they lost all hope. This made them decide to replace the necklace.

d) After she had collected enough money to pay for the necklace, she returned it to her friend. This shows that Mathilde was honest and genuine.

e) She did not tell her friend about the loss and replacement in the beginning because she was afraid of what might happen. Mathilde thought that the necklace was made of real diamonds and did not want her friend to lose trust in her. She also did not want to show how careless she was with something she had borrowed.

f) Mathilde had to let go of her maid and change their lodgings. She had to do all the household chores herself. She washed dishes, dirty linen, carried the garbage down to the street every morning, carried up the water and dressed like a commoner. Each month she had to pay, renew and ask for more time for her loans. She definitely worked very hard to pay the debt.

g) Both Mathilde and her husband equally worked hard towards paying off the debt. They lived in poverty like commoners, worked extra in order to bring in some more money and continued to pay the loans as well as renew and extend them. In all they earnestly worked hard and paid the debt in ten years.

h) Mathilde probably told her friend about the lost necklace because she felt that the price had already been paid. When she sees her friend she feels emotional and wishes to tell her about the miseries and sufferings she had been through.