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CBSE
CLASS 10 ENGLISH
FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEETπ£
CHAPTER 7: THE NECKLACE
SUMMARY
➤Summary:
"The Necklace" is a story about a woman named Mathilde Loisel, who is unhappy with her modest lifestyle and dreams of a more luxurious life. One day, her husband brings home an invitation to a high-class party, and Mathilde is distraught because she doesn't have any expensive jewelry to wear. Her husband suggests that she borrow something from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier. Mathilde chooses a beautiful diamond necklace and attends the party, feeling glamorous and admired.
However, when she returns home, she realizes that she has lost the necklace. Mathilde and her husband search desperately for it but cannot find it. Afraid of Madame Forestier's reaction, they decide to replace the necklace without telling her. They buy a new necklace, which puts them in debt for the next ten years.
Years later, Mathilde and her husband meet Madame Forestier in the park. Mathilde confesses the truth about losing the necklace and replacing it. To their surprise, Madame Forestier reveals that the necklace they borrowed was fake and worth only a few hundred francs. Mathilde's dreams of a luxurious life and the sacrifices made by her and her husband were in vain.
➤Key Points:
1. Mathilde Loisel dreams of a life of luxury and feels dissatisfied with her modest lifestyle.
2. Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from her friend Madame Forestier for a high-class party.
3. Mathilde loses the necklace and, instead of confessing, she and her husband buy a new one to replace it.
4. They spend the next ten years paying off the debt incurred by buying the necklace.
5. Mathilde later discovers that the borrowed necklace was a fake, making their sacrifices pointless.
π¨Character Analysis:
1. Mathilde Loisel: The protagonist of the story, Mathilde dreams of a life of wealth and luxury. She is discontented with her modest circumstances and is driven by a desire for material possessions.
2. Monsieur Loisel: Mathilde's caring and loving husband. He tries to make Mathilde happy by getting her an invitation to a high-class party and suggesting she borrow jewelry from her friend.
3. Madame Forestier: Mathilde's wealthy friend, who lends her the diamond necklace for the party. She plays a significant role in the story's twist ending.
=❯Important Quotes:
1. "She was unhappy all the time because she wanted so much to be rich, to be admired, to be envied, to be charming, and to be sought after."
2. "Instead of being delighted, as her husband had hoped, she threw the invitation down on the table with disdain, murmuring: 'What do you want me to do with that?'"
3. "What would have happened if she had not lost that necklace? Who knows? Who knows? How strange and unpredictable life is!"
=❯Themes:
1. Materialism: The story explores the theme of materialism and how it can lead to dissatisfaction and the pursuit of elusive happiness.
2. Deception and Appearances: Mathilde's desire for social status and appearance leads her to borrow a necklace and subsequently deceive her friend by replacing it. The story shows how appearances can be deceiving and how one's desire for social acceptance can lead to dishonesty.
=❯Word meanings:
1. Modest: Not excessive or ostentatious; simple or humble.
2. Glamorous: Full of glamour; attractive or exciting.
3. Desperately: In a way that shows despair or great need.
4. Debt: Money owed to someone else.
5. Sacrifices: Giving up something valuable or important for the sake of something else.
6. Dissatisfied: Not content or happy with something.
7. Twist: An unexpected change or turn of events.
=❯FAQ WITH SOLUTIONS
Q1. Why is Mathilde Loisel unhappy with her life?
ANSWER: Mathilde Loisel is unhappy because she desires a life of luxury, wealth, admiration, and charm that she doesn't have.
Q2. What does Mathilde borrow from Madame Forestier?
ANSWER: Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from Madame Forestier to wear to a high-class party.
Q3. What happens to the borrowed necklace?
ANSWER: Mathilde loses the necklace and, instead of confessing, she and her husband buy a new one to replace it.
Q4. How do Mathilde and her husband pay for the new necklace?
ANSWER: Mathilde and her husband spend the next ten years paying off the debt incurred by buying the new necklace.
Q5. What is the twist ending in "The Necklace"?
ANSWER: The twist ending reveals that the necklace Mathilde borrowed was a fake, rendering their sacrifices pointless.
Q6. What themes are explored in "The Necklace"?
ANSWER: The themes of materialism, deception, and appearances are explored in the story.
Q7. How does Mathilde's desire for material possessions affect her actions?
ANSWER: Mathilde's desire for material possessions leads her to borrow the necklace, deceive her friend, and make significant sacrifices to replace it.
Q8. How does Mathilde's character change throughout the story?
ANSWER: Mathilde starts as a discontented and ambitious woman but later realizes the consequences of her desires and the emptiness of her pursuit of material wealth.
Q9. What is the significance of the title "The Necklace"?
ANSWER: The necklace symbolizes the desire for material possessions, social acceptance, and the deceptive nature of appearances.
Q10. What is the moral lesson of the story?
ANSWER: The story teaches that the pursuit of material possessions and social status can lead to dissatisfaction and deceptive actions, ultimately resulting in a loss of true happiness.
⭐These FAQs should help you understand the chapter and its various aspects in more detail.
