--- type: "Chapter" knowledge_type: "chapter" entity_type: "chapter" id: "66c7100f5ad974e312ade27b" title: "The Necklace" board: "CBSE" curriculum: "CBSE" class: "Class 10" subject: "English" book: "Foot Prints Without feet" chapter: "The Necklace" chapter_slug: "the-necklace" canonical_url: "https://www.edzy.ai/cbse-class-10-english-foot-prints-without-feet-the-necklace" markdown_url: "https://www.edzy.ai/okf/chapter/cbse-class-10-english-foot-prints-without-feet-the-necklace.md" source_type: "examSubjectBookChapter" source_id: "66c7100f5ad974e312ade27b" source_pdf: "https://edzy-ai.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/edzy-express-ts/0d892713-a1da-4d1f-8402-ef4706d64a98.pdf" source: "Edzy" version: 1 last_updated: "2026-06-20" --- # The Necklace This chapter narrates the story of Mathilde Loisel, a woman who feels trapped in her modest life and yearns for wealth and luxury. Her desires lead her to borrow a diamond necklace to wear to a prestigious ball, but her life takes a tragic turn when she loses the necklace, culminating in a decade of hardship to repay the debt incurred to replace it. --- ## Knowledge Snapshot | Field | Details | | :--- | :--- | | Class | Class 10 | | Subject | English | | Book | Foot Prints Without feet | | Chapter | The Necklace | | Pages | 39-46 | --- ## Chapter Summary ### Short Summary Mathilde Loisel borrows a diamond necklace for a ball, loses it, and spends ten years in poverty to repay the debt of replacing it, only to discover that the original necklace was worthless. ### Detailed Summary Mathilde is a beautiful woman from a modest background, burdened by her desire for a more luxurious life. Her husband, a clerk, tries to make her happy by presenting an invitation to a ball, but she feels she has nothing suitable to wear. After asking her husband for money to buy a dress, she still feels incomplete without jewelry and borrows a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier. At the ball, Mathilde is the center of attention, reveling in her beauty and admiration. However, upon returning home, she realizes she has lost the necklace. The couple searches frantically but cannot find it. They decide to replace it with a similar necklace costing 36,000 francs, which they struggle to pay off over ten years of grueling labor. Once the debt is finally settled, Mathilde encounters Madame Forestier, who reveals that her necklace was a fake, worth only 500 francs, suggesting that Mathilde's vanity led to her undoing. --- ## Topic-Wise Explanation ### Introduction to 'The Necklace' The story of 'The Necklace' explores themes of wealth, class distinction, and the pitfalls of vanity through the life of Mathilde Loisel. ### Character Analysis - **Mathilde Loisel**: A woman dissatisfied with her life, yearning for wealth and luxury, whose actions lead to her downfall. - **Monsieur Loisel**: Mathilde's supportive husband who sacrifices his savings for her happiness. - **Madame Forestier**: Mathilde's wealthy friend, whose necklace becomes central to the plot. ### Plot Overview The plot follows Mathilde’s life choices leading to her downfall after losing a borrowed necklace, illustrating the harsh realities of her desires. ### Themes and Morals The story emphasizes the dangers of vanity and the importance of contentment, showcasing how small choices can lead to significant consequences. ### Literary Devices The narrative employs irony, especially in the ending, and vivid characterization to reflect Mathilde's inner conflicts and societal views. ### Critical Analysis Critical views of 'The Necklace' suggest it offers a stark commentary on social class and the illusion of wealth, resonating through Mathilde's tragic fate. --- ## Character Analysis - **Mathilde Loisel**: She epitomizes discontent as she constantly compares her life to the luxuries she desires, leading to her eventual despair. - **Monsieur Loisel**: His character contrasts Mathilde’s, displaying contentment and practicality amid her obsession with status. - **Madame Forestier**: Represents the social elite, unwittingly a catalyst for Mathilde's misery through her friendship and the necklace. --- ## Core Ideas | Idea | Explanation | | :--- | :--- | | Vanity | Mathilde’s vanity directly leads to her downfall, driving her to borrow the necklace and ultimately suffer for it. | | Class Discontent | The story addresses the discontentment arising from class disparities, as Mathilde longs for a life of luxury beyond her means. | --- ## Key Concepts | Concept | Meaning | | :--- | :--- | | Irony | A literary device where the outcome is contrary to what was expected, exemplified in the fate of Mathilde. | | Sacrifice | Monsieur Loisel's sacrifice of his savings to fulfill Mathilde’s desire illustrates true love and hardship. | --- ## Important Points for Revision * Mathilde Loisel feels unfulfilled living in a modest lifestyle. * She borrows a necklace from Madame Forestier for a prestigious ball. * After losing the necklace, she and her husband take on a monumental debt. * They work for ten years to repay the debt, leading to a hard and laborious life. * The twist reveals the original necklace was a fake, highlighting the irony of Mathilde’s efforts. --- ## Vocabulary and Glossary | Word / Phrase | Meaning | | :--- | :--- | | Dowry | Property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage. | | Ruinous | Causing severe financial loss or being extremely costly. | --- ## Practice Questions ### Short Answer Questions 1. What is Mathilde Loisel’s biggest desire? 2. How does her husband try to make her happy? 3. What does Mathilde borrow for the ball? 4. What happens after Mathilde loses the necklace? 5. How long do M. and Mme Loisel struggle to repay their debt? ### Long Answer Questions 1. Discuss how Mathilde's character is developed throughout the story. 2. Analyze the significance of irony in the plot of 'The Necklace.' 3. What lessons can be learned about wealth and appearance from Mathilde’s experience? --- ## Related Concepts - Social class disparity - The consequences of vanity --- ## Source Attribution | Field | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Source | Edzy | | Reference Type | examSubjectBookChapter | | Reference ID | 66c7100f5ad974e312ade27b | | Canonical URL | https://www.edzy.ai/cbse-class-10-english-foot-prints-without-feet-the-necklace | | Markdown URL | https://www.edzy.ai/okf/chapter/cbse-class-10-english-foot-prints-without-feet-the-necklace.md |