The Necklace Extra Questions | Board Material

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The Necklace Extra Questions

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Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 10th as Per Latest CBSE Syllabus

Chapter- 7 English Languages and Literature- Footprints Without Feet (Latest 2018-19)

­­­­The Necklace Extra Questions

By Guy De Maupassant

About the Author of The Necklace – Guy De Maupassant

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Guy De Maupassant was a French writer whose best stories were written during the Franco-Prussian War. He was born in 1850, at Miromesnil and he died of syphilis in 1893. He is regarded by many as the best representative of the naturalists school of writers, who focus on realism and denounce the futility of wars and violence that lead to the death of thousands. He wrote more than 300 short stories, 6 novels, travel books and even poetry.

Introduction of the lesson- The Necklace

Maupassant’s well-known story, “The Necklace”, centres around Matilda Loisel. She has a desire to appear rich and fashionable, despite her life as a clerk’s wife being relatively simple. Her desire is fulfilled when she borrows a diamond necklace from Madame Forestier to wear at the Minister of Public Instruction’s dance party. As a result of wearing the necklace, she is applauded for her beauty and attracts attention from many admirers. However, after returning home, she finds that the necklace has slipped off her fingers and is lost. Along with her husband, they borrow 500 francs from Madame Foresterie to replace it. They spend ten years paying back their debt before finally being liberated from poverty and misery for good. When Matilda reunited with Madame Foresterie one day after paying off the debt, she learned that the necklace was indeed not diamond but just made of artificial beads (approximately worth 500 francs).

Theme of the Story The Necklace

In `The Necklace,’ the main character quickly notices how ridiculous it is to copy the rich and live beyond their means, as they invite unnecessary problems, anxieties, and confusion into their lives.

MESSAGE OF THE NECKLACE

It is important to accept ourselves and not be concerned with things that we don’t need. Mrs Loisel had to suffer because she refused to admit her mistake. She lost a necklace and didn’t want her husband to know. In the end, it was just a piece of costume jewelry, nothing necessary, but she was too proud to give up anything so she suffered for years because of this lost necklace.




Important Word-Meanings of difficult words from the lesson- The Necklace

[PAGE 39] : Grand = glorious jewellery = ornament borrows = owes  pretty = beautiful destiny = luck distinguished = marked out, typical  incessantly = continuously  delicacies = tenderness luxuries = comforts apartment = house shabby = ugly tortured = tormented tureen = a dish delighted = pleased potpie = a sweet bread elegant = graceful exquisite = marvellous despair = hopelessness elated = proudfully

[PAGE 40] : Inscribed = imprinted spitefully = with jealousy murmuring = speak in low voice irritated = offended declared = announced impatiently = restlessly stammered = spoke with halts stupefied = shocked dismay = grief violent = outrageous vexation = irritation colleague = co-worker grieved = pained reflected = meditated immediate = instant exclamation = surprise hesitating = doubting

[PAGE 41] : Exactly = nearly larks = small singing bird adorn = to beautify chic = fashionable convinced = assured firmly  humiliating = degrading  Related = narrated uttered = pronounced distress = sorrow/trouble MT-4 closet = private room  admirable = praise worthy workmanship = skill in doing some work ecstatic = very delightful anxiety fear of uncertainty certainly = definitely

[PAGE 42] : Embraced = folded in the arms  passion = a strong emotion the ball = group-dance enthusiasm = high spirit treasure = jewels  intoxicated highly pleasant salons = decorated rooms  wraps = shawls clashed detained = stopped descended = came down rapidly =  cmflicted hailing = calling coachman = tonga driver carriage = tonga wearily = much tired removed = took off shivering = trembling

[PAGE 43]. Cast down = ashaiiied track = path advertisement = public announcement state = condition bewilderment = perplexity frightful = horrible clasp = link repaired= mended dictated = spoke loudly replace = to substitute chaplet = wreathe

[PAGE 44] : Perceive = to see minutely substitution = replacement horrible = terrible heroically = bravely lodgings = temporary habitation  odious = hateful haggling = quarrelling over prices restored = paid back awry = with twists flattered = false praise approached = went near recognise = to identify astonishment = amazement

[PAGE 45] : Miserable = wretched loaned = owed  decently = with respect content = satisfied




Summary in English- The Necklace

The Necklace is a story that follows the life of Matilda Loisel, an unremarkable married woman. However, she feels that her luxury should be available to her and she spends time feeling jealous of her wealthier classmates.
One day her husband gets an invitation to attend the dance party given by the Minister of Public Instruction. She initially is happy with the invitation, but then becomes sad because she has nothing to wear at the party. Her husband spends all his savings and buys a beautiful gown for her, but now she complains that she has no jewellery or ornament to wear. She goes to borrow some from a wealthy I’ fiend Madame Forestier and borrows a diamond necklace.

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At the party, Matilda looked very beautiful. Men at the party all pay attention to her, especially the Minister. Men want to talk to and dance with her. When she leaves the hall at four o’clock in the morning and get home, she stands before a mirror and praises her own beauty. Suddenly, she bursts out crying: she has lost a diamond necklace somewhere. She and her husband go everywhere looking for it, but can’t find it anywhere. They are both greatly depressed because they fear that many events like this will be misunderstood as them not understanding each other’s feelings or someone is after their family jewels .
The husband suggests to his wife that they should lie to their friend and tell them they had sent a necklace in for repairs. This will give them some time to buy another one. They go from store to store, but by the end they find a neckless similar to the lost one; though its price was 36,000 francs and high interest is put on the borrowed money. She returns it to her friend without even looking at it first.
Matilda and her husband are suffocating in debt. They work to pay it off, and this takes a toll on their mental health, as well as their life quality. They dismiss their servants and move to a cheaper house. Matilda goes back to doing all the household work alone, while her husband becomes an evening worker, working long hours of the night time. They end up repaying their debt after 10 long years of hard labour.

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One Sunday, Matilda goes out for a walk and encounters Madame Forestier. Madame Forestier was surprised to see how much Matilda looked changed. Matilda tells her the story of her hard life, how she has suffered so greatly because of her. She tells her about losing her necklace and buying one worth thirty-six thousand francs instead. Finally, she finishes by telling Madame Forestier that it took them ten years to pay off their debts. At this point, Madame Forestier is moved to hear the whole story of Matilda’s hard life, which includes learning that the necklace was made of artificial diamonds worth only five hundred francs.

SHORT SUMMARY of The Necklace

Matilda was a pretty young woman, who had no hope of marrying a rich or important person. Therefore, she married a petty clerk in order to help her family with finances.
Matilda was unhappy because she only had simple things. She wanted fancy things, like jewelry and exquisite foods. Her low economic status made her angry and think that she should have been born richer.
One day, Mr. Loisel, her husband, gave her a printed card. It was an invitation to dinner organized by the Minister of Public Instruction where her husband worked. He hoped that he would be delighted to receive such an invitation, but when it was put in front of her, she threw the invitation on the table out of contempt. She complained that she had nothing to wear for the occasion and looked at him impatiently. He remained speechless and she told him calmly that she couldn’t go there without proper clothing. Rachel tried once more and asked if he could give his card to another colleague’s wife who had a better dress than hers. Hearing it pained him and he asked how much money it would take them to buy a dress of good quality. She replied that it would cost 400 francs which was equal to the amount of money you needed to buy a gun for hunting parties which he loved doing
The day of the ball had come and she was getting ready. She was considering wearing natural flowers only because it would be too demeaning if her dress did not match those of the other wealthy women. Her husband then came up with the idea of borrowing some jewelry from Matilda’s (Mrs. Loisel) friend, Madame Forestier. Ruby felt overjoyed and left happily with a diamond necklace gifted by her friend.
Madam Loisel was very successful in the ball and all the men at the ball noticed her. They went back home and she looked at herself in the mirror, she saw that her necklace was gone. She wasn’t sure if it was lost there or if they had left it some place. Madam Loisel’s husband went out to search for it, but they didn’t know where it was because they weren’t paying attention when they left. He searched at police, cab offices and he also put an ad for a reward for whoever found it. They finally end up finding a similar necklace and it turned out to be worth forty thousand dollars so now they’re rich.
The protagonist of the story, Mr Loisel and his wife, had a life of privilege with 18,000 francs left in inheritance from his father. They lived expensively at first and borrowed the rest to spend on a new necklace for Madam Forestier that cost 36,000 francs. Madam Forestier did not open the jewellery box. They got into debt and had to do chores around the house for years before finally getting out of debt after 10 years. Upon reflection, Mr Loisel concluded that it was “the acquisition cost” of the necklace which changed their lives.
When Mrs. Loisel met Madam Forestier, she noticed that she had changed a lot. Mrs. Loisel said that due to the necklace, their lives had become miserable and they were constantly suffering. They used all of their money to try and find it; it didn’t work. When Madam Forestier saw the necklace, she revealed that the diamonds were fake and not worth more than five hundred francs.

Main Points of the Story The Necklace

  1. Matilda (Mrs. Loisel) was a beautiful young lady who was born in a family of clerks by some error of fate.
  2. She felt that she was born for all delicacies and luxuries of the world.
  3. She had a rich friend, Madame Forestier, but did not like to visit her because she suffered so much in her ordinary existence.
  4. Matilda liked good food served in marvellous dishes, good frocks and jewels.
  5. One day, her husband gave her a printed card which was an invitation to a ball party.
  6. Instead of being happy, she threw away the card on the table.
  7. She thought that she didn’t have a proper dress for the ball and didn’t want to present her poverty-stricken image amid rich ladies.
  8. Mr Loisel had to sacrifice his 400 francs for the dress which he had saved to buy a gun for hunting.
  9. The day of the ball came near, but Matilda put forward another demand and wanted to wear a necklace at the ball.
  10. Mr Loisel suggested that she could borrow jewels from her rich friend, Madame Forestier.
  11. Mrs Forestier placed her box of jewels before Matilda to choose, and she chose a superb diamond necklace.
  12. On the day of the ball, Mrs Loisel was a great success and looked very beautiful, elegant and graceful.
  13. She attracted the attention of many men who wanted to be introduced to her.
  14. Returning from the party, she wanted to have a final view of herself in her glory, in the mirror.
  15. Suddenly she uttered a cry as the necklace was not around her neck.
  16. Mr Loisel went out in the night in search of the lost necklace. He went to the police, cab offices and put an advertisement in the papers.
  17. At the end of the week, they lost all hopes and it was decided to buy a new necklace, similar to the lost one.
  18. The similar diamond necklace that could replace the lost one valued 36000 francs.
  19. Mr Loisel had 18000 francs but had to borrow the rest of the money.
  20. The new diamond necklace, which was exactly the same as the old one, was given to Madam Forestier.
  21. They had to work hard and lead a miserable life to pay off the debts.
  22. They sent away the maid and rented some rooms in the attic.
  23. Mrs Loisel washed dishes, clothes and lived like an ordinary woman.
  24. Mr Loisel worked at some merchants in the evenings and did copying work at five sous a page.
  25. It took ten years to pay off the debts completely and the necklace had completely changed their lives.
  26. On the day, when Madam Forestier met Mrs Loisel, she couldn’t recognise her because she had changed so badly.
  27. Mrs Loisel told the whole story and also the fact that her necklace was responsible for their miserable condition.
  28. Madam Forestier was touched and said, “Oh! My poor Matilda! Mine (diamonds) were false. They were not worth over five hundred francs.




Main Characters of the Story- The Necklace

Character Sketch of Matilda

Matilda is a pretty, young woman. She wanted to live a rich and luxurious life with the help of her husband but felt being born into an unfortunate family had limited their financial and social status. When Matilda received an invitation to a ball, she decided prove her worth as a beautiful woman by making herself feel like someone with more money than they really have. Though she asked her morally upstanding husband to join her, he refused and instead told her she would regret wearing such expensive clothes. With few neighbors looking, Matilda was embarrassed when one of the pieces fell off of the borrowed necklace and created great misfortune for them both. They spent years recovering from the consequences of being extravagant when they could not afford it.

Character Sketch of Mr Loisel

Mr. Loisel is a simple man who works at a bank. He loves his wife, and does everything to make her happy. He gets an invitation to a ball with his wife, but when his wife wants a costly necklace, he suggests she should borrow a necklace from her rich friend, Madame Forestier. When Matilda loses her necklace, Mr. Loisel uses his saved money to buy an expensive new one for her. He starts working very hard to repay the debt they had incurred. Mr Loisel believes in living within your means; unfortunately, because he is lenient towards his wife, he has to take on much of the suffering himself.




MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS The Necklace

  1. Matilda was born into a family of :

(A) ministers                      (B) officers

(C) clerks                             (D) shopkeepers

Ans. (C) clerks

  1. What did Matilda suffer from?

(A) delicacies                     (B) luxuries

(C) poverty                         (D) all of the above

Ans. (C) poverty

  1. Whom was Matilda married to?

(A) a petty clerk                (B) a minister

(C) an officer                      (D) a businessman

 Ans. (A) a petty clerk

  1. One day Mr Loisel received an invitation from :

(A) the Minister of Health            (B) the Minister of Home Affairs

(C) the Minister of Sea Affairs    (D) the Minister of Public Instruction

Ans. (D) the Minister of Public Instruction

  1. How did Loisel feel on receiving the invitation?

 (A) sad’                                                (B) elated

 (C) puzzled                                        (D) surprised

Ans. (B) elated

  1. Why did Mrs Loisel throw the invitation spitefully?

 (A) she had no jewellery to wear (B) she had not any beautiful dress to wear

(C) she did not like parties           (D) both (A) and (B)

Ans. (D) both (A) and (B)

  1. For what had Loisel saved four hundred francs?

(A) to buy a gun                                (B) to buy a T.V.

(C) to buy a shirt                               (D) to buy a bicycle

 Ans. (A) to buy a gun

  1. From where did Mrs Loisel borrow the necklace?

(A) Mme Hillary                                (B) Mme Forestier

(C) Mme Many                                                 (D) Mme Anne

Ans. (B) Mme Forestier

  1. What did Mrs Loisel borrow from Mme Forestier?

(A) a bracelet                                     (B) a necklace

(C) a Venetian Cross                       (D) all of the above

Ans. (B) a necklace

  1. How did Mrs Loisel perform at the ball?

(A) she had great success             (B) none noticed her

 (C) she did not enjoy the ball     (D) all of the above

Ans. (A) she had a great success

  1. Matilda always remained :

(A) happy                                            (B) unhappy

(C) contended                                   (D) delighted

Ans. (B) unhappy

  1. When did Mr and Mrs Loisel return home from the ball?

 (A) at 2 a.m.                                      (B) at 3 a.m.

 (C) at 4 a.m.                                       (D) at 5 a.m.

Ans. (C) at 4 a.m.

  1. What spoiled Mr and Mrs Loisel pleasure?

(A) the loss of necklace (B) the loss of the dress

(C) the loss of money     (D) all of the above

Ans. (A) the loss of the necklace

  1. Did they find the lost necklace?

(A) yes                                  (B) no

(C) maybe                           (D) not known

Ans. (B) no

  1. How much Loisels had to spend to replace the necklace?

(A) eighteen thousand francs     (B) thirty-six thousand francs

(C) forty thousand francs             (D) fifty thousand francs

Ans. (B) thirty-six thousand francs

  1. What change came in the life of Loisels after raising a big loan?

(A) they sent away the maid                       (B) they changed their lodgings

 (C) they rented some rooms in an attic (D) all of the above

Ans. (D) all of the above

  1. How did the loan affect Mrs Loisel’s life?

(A) she learned the odious work of a kitchen (B) she washed the dishes

(C) she took down the refuse to the street (D) all of the above

Ans. (D) all of the above

  1. How much time did they take to repay the loan?

(A) two years                     (B) five years

(C) ten years                      (D) twenty years

Ans. (C) ten years

  1. What was the actual cost of Mme Forestier’s necklace?

(A) five hundred francs     (B) ten thousand francs

(C) one hundred francs     (D) five thousand francs

 Ans. (A) five hundred francs

  1. Did Mrs Loisel come to know the real cost of the necklace?

(A) yes                                  (B) no

 (C) maybe                          (D) may not be

Ans. (A) yes

  1. Who is the writer of the lesson ‘The Necklace’?

(A) Robert W. Peterson     (B) Guy de Maupassant

(C) Sinclair Lewis               (D) K.A. Abbas

 Ans. (B) Guy de Maupassant

Extract Based / comprehension test  Questions and Answers of The Necklace

1. He went to the police and to the cab offices, and put an advertisement in the newspapers, offering a reward. She waited all day in a state of bewilderment before this frightful disaster. Lisle returned in the evening, his face pale; he had discovered nothing.

(a) What did he do?

 (b) For what did he offer a reward?

 (c) What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin?

 (d) How could she have avoided it?

 Ans. (a) He went to the police and to the cab office and put an advertisement in the newspapers.

 (b) He offered a reward to find the lost necklace.

(c) Her weakness for admiration, pleasure and vanity became the cause of her ruin.

(d) Matilda could have avoided this entire suffering if’ she had tried to live within her means and controlled her wild desires for short-lived pleasure.

2. He threw around her shoulders the modest wraps they had carried whose poverty clashed with the elegance of the ball costume. She wished to hurry away in order not to be noticed by the other women who were wrapping themselves in rich furs.

 (a) Who is she?

 (b) What was the cause of her inferiority complex?

(c) How can you say that Mr Lisle was a loving husband?

(d) Why do you think the tendency to show off becomes a curse for Matilda?

 Ans. (a) ‘She’ is Matilda.

 (b) She thought that they are poor and all the guests of the party belong to the upper class. This was the cause for her inferiority complex.

(c) When his wife was enjoying the dance and gratifying her vanity through the admiration of the men-folk, he waited patiently.

 (d) She wasted her youth and suffered for ten long years only because of her vanity. He will desire for short-lived pleasure had become a curse for her.

3. And she responded, “I am vexed not to have a jewel, nothing to adorn myself with. I shall have such a poverty-stricken look. I would prefer not to go to this party.” He replied, “You can wear some natural flowers. In this season they look very chic.”

 (a) Why was she vexed then?

(b) Which party is she referring to?

 (c) Who is ‘she’ in the above lines?

 (d) Why did she not want to go to the party?

Ans. (a) She was vexed because she did not have any jewel to adorn herself with.

(b) She is referring to the party hosted by The Minister of Public Instruction for which her husband got an invitation.

(c) Matilda

(d) She was grieved for her poverty-stricken look. She felt that she did not have a proper Party dress and a jewel for the party.

4. She suffered incessantly, feeling born for all delicacies and luxuries. She Suffered from the poverty of her apartment, the shabby walls and the worn chairs. All these things tortured and angered her.

(a) Who is she?

(b) Why did she suffer?

(c) Why does she feel tortured?

 (d) What character traits of Matilda do the above lines reveal?

Ans. (a) She stands for Matilda.

(b) She was very beautiful and felt born for all delicacies and luxuries which she was not having. This made her suffer.

 (c) She was unhappy with the poverty of her house. The shabby walls and the worn chairs tortured and angered her.

(d) Matilda was an unhappy and discontented person.

5. “She had no dowry, no hopes, no means of becoming known, loved and married by a man either rich or distinguished; and she allowed herself to marry a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education.”

(a) Who is the description about?

(b) What sort of person is she?

(c) What is the outcome of her marriage?

 (d) What did her husband do?

Ans.  (a) Mme Lisle.

(b) -She is a pretty lady who is ambitious and discontented with her life.

 (c) She remained unhappy.

 (d) Her husband was a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education.

Short Answer Type Important QuestionsThe Necklace

1. What, do you think, were the feelings of Madam Forester when she came to know that Matilda returned her a diamond necklace in place of an artificial one?

 Ans. Matilda borrowed a necklace from Madam Frostier to wear at a party. She lost it somewhere and returned the diamond necklace after occurring into the jewel cabinet. Madam Forester was shocked to learn that no such necklace had been there, and thought this scenario could’ve been avoided if Matilda had just told her about the mistake sooner.

2. Madam Lisle was intoxicated with pleasure at the ball. Give three reasons to support your Answer.                                                                                                                                             

 Ans. Madam Lisle was intoxicated with pleasure at the ball. She danced with enthusiasm. She received everyone’s admiration and flattery. She looked the prettiest of all: elegant, gracious, smiling and full of joy.

3. How would you feel if you were in Matilda’s place and had lost somebody’s such a valuable possession?                                               

Ans. Matilda borrowed a necklace from Madam Forester to wear in a ball. She lost it the same night. She was too much upset at the incident and tried to find it everywhere in the fold of dress, in the cloak, in the pockets and everywhere. Even Mr Lisle went to search it at midnight. They even could not sleep all night. They want the police and even to the cab-office and put an advertisement in the newspaper offering a reward.

If I had been in Matilda’s place I would have done all the above-said efforts for such a valuable possession.

4. What changes occurred in Mime Lisle after 10 years?

 Ans. Madam Lisle now knows the horrible life of necessity. She sent away from her maid and learned the odious work of a kitchen She washed the dishes and the clothes on her own, She took down wastes to the street and brought up the water stopping at each landing to breathe. They changed their lodging and rented some rooms in the attic.

  She seemed old now and became strong and hard women. Her hair badly dressed her skirts awry, her hands red and spoke in a loud voice.

5.Mme. Lisle lost the necklace that Mme. Forest ire had Lent her. If it would have been you at mine. Losels’ place, what would have been your first and foremost step?

 Ans. If I had been at Madam Lionel’s place firstly, I would not have borrowed the necklace. I would have been satisfied with the assets that I possessed. Secondly, if I had borrowed it and lost it, I would have told Madam Forester. Then, at that very time, I would know it was a fake diamond rather than an authentic one. In turn, I could have avoided being ruined when Madam Lionel died.

6. How was Mr Lisle able to arrange 36,000 francs?

 Ans. Losels had eighteen thousand francs, which his father left him. For him, the rest of the money he borrowed from usurers and a race of lenders. He made ruinous promises with that debt and to repay it, they had to move their house. Madame Lisle had to do all the tedious jobs like washing, grocery shopping, bringing up water for herself.

7. Why did Mme Lisle go to visit her friend, my Forester?

 Ans. Mme Lisle visited her friend Mine Forester twice. First, she went to her house to borrow a diamond necklace for the ball which she lost the same day. Secondly, she visited her house to return the necklace that she had bought for 36,000 francs in compensation for the lost necklace.

8. Why did Madam Lisle leave the ball in a hurry? What does it show about her character?

Ans.

The ball gown that Madame Lisle wore was made of modest fabrics and felt uncomfortable against her skin in contrast to the other women’s extravagant fur-lined garments. This tells the story of Mine Lisle, who is dissatisfied by life and frustrated by its hypocrisy.

9. How did M. Lisle and Madame Lisle manage to buy a diamond necklace to return it to Madam Forester? What were the consequences?

Ans. Mr Lisle and Madam Lisle spent all their saving i.e. eighteen thousand francs, which his father had saved for him. Rest of the money they borrowed from usurers with ruinous promises. They had to arrange 36,000 francs for the new diamond necklace. All this ruined their life. Mme Lisle had to do all odd jobs to save money. They had to change these lodgings Mr Lisle had to work till late at night after office hours, putting the books of some merchant or to copy pages at five soups a page to earn extra money.

10. Why did Matilda change her lifestyle after the ball?                           

 Ans. Mated borrowed a necklace from her friend for the ball but she lost it after it. It was a diamond necklace. It completely changed her course of life. She and her husband had to struggle hard to repay the debt taken to buy a new necklace.

11. What kind of a husband was M. Lisle? Discuss with reference to the chapter. ‘The Necklace’.

Or

Why do you think that M. Lisle was a loving husband?                                         

 Ans. Mr M. Lisle was a simple and poor clerk. He made every effort and sacrifice to make his wife happy. He sacrificed his 400 francs that he had saved to buy a gun for himself in order to buy a new party dress for his wife. It proves that he was a loving husband.

12. Why was Matilda sad after the ball?

Ans. Matilda was sad after the ball because she had lost the diamond necklace which she had borrowed from her friend Mme. Forester. She had to pay a very heavy price for it.

13. How had Mme Lionel’s sacrifices all been in vain?           

 Ans. Mme. Lionel’s sacrifices proved to be all in vain as Mrs Forester, when she met her after ten years, told her that the necklace was of fake diamonds worth only 500 francs. Poor Losels had wasted their 10 years to repay the loss of a fake necklace.

14. What did the Losels do to replace the necklace?

Ans. They had to save every single penny in order to repay the huge loan they had taken for the diamond necklace. Mrs Lisle sent away all the maids and did all the household work herself. They changed their lodging and shifted to a cheap rented room.

15. What were the reasons for Matilda’s unhappiness?  

Ans. Matilda was a pretty young lady but belonged to a poor family. She was married to a petty clerk. Her poverty and lack of recognition made her angry and unhappy.

16. What was the cause of her ceaseless suffering?

Ans. Mrs Loisel was very beautiful. She wanted to lead a life of comfort and luxury. She wanted to enjoy life. But she was married to a clerk. She lived in a simple house and led an ordinary life. This was the cause of her ceaseless suffering.

17. What did her husband bring home one evening? Why was he so elated?

Ans. One evening, her husband brought home an invitation card. They were invited to a party at the residence of the Minister of Public Instruction. He was so elated because he thought that it would make his wife happy.

18. How did Matilda get the jewels to wear to the ball?

Ans. Matilda went to her friend Madame Forestier’ s house. She told her the story of her distress. She borrowed a necklace of diamonds from her. In this way, slit: got jewels for the ball.

19. What happened at the ball? Was her dreamt fulfilled?

Ans. She had a great time at the party and everyone noticed her, and she was asked for her name by all the men. She completed her success with this very high-profile event and finally achieved what she set out to do.

20. Why was she not delighted on receiving the ‘invitation to the party?

Ans. Mrs Loisel wanted to lead a life of luxury. She wanted to attend parties. One day her husband got an invitation to attend the party given by the Minister of Public Instruction. But she did not have a good dress to wear at the party. So she was not happy to get the invitation.

21. Why was her husband saving money?

Ans. Her husband was fond of shooting birds. He wanted to take part in shooting larks next summer. Some of his friends were also going for shooting. So he was saving money. He wanted to purchase a gun with that money.

22. Why was Matilda married to a clerk?

Ans. Matilda belonged to a family of clerks. Her parents were not rich. They did not have a big dowry for Matilda. She had no means to be married to a rich and famous man. So she was married to Loisel who was a clerk.

23. How did Matilda’s husband obtain an invitation to attend the party?

Ans. Matilda’s husband was a clerk in the office of the Board of Education, and he tried to attend a dance party given by the Minister of Public Instruction by asking for an invitation. Clerks were not being invited to the party.

24. Describe Matilda’s experience at the dance party.

Ans. Matilda looked very charming at the dance party. All the men at the party looked at her. They asked her name. Everybody wanted to be introduced to her. The officers at the party wanted to dance with her. She danced with joy. She had a great sense of victory.

25. When did the party end? What did Matilda find when she reached home?

Ans. The party ended at four in the morning. Matilda and her husband returned home. Matilda stood before the mirror, wondering what would happen if she tried to wear the necklace again. She was shocked when she realized that the necklace was gone, having vanished into thin air.

26. What efforts did Matilda and her husband make to look for the lost necklace?

Ans. They looked into the folds of Mati Ida’s dress, in the folds of her cloak and in her pockets. Her husband searched the whole route by which they had come home. He returned at seven o’clock. He informed the police. He went to the newspaper’s office to announce a reward. But the lost necklace was not found.

27. How was Mrs Loisel ‘a mistake of destiny’?

Ans. Loisel Matilda was very charming and pretty. She seemed like a lady of high family, but in reality, she was born into a family of clerks. Loisel Matilda appears to be a person who had some morals and responsibility, but unfortunately she ended up marrying the wrong person and had to deal with thoughts of having been ‘a mistake of destiny.’

Q28. Why did Matilda think that she was born in a family of petty clerks by some error of destiny?

Ans.

Matilda was beautiful and had high dreams and aspirations. Matilda also knew that because she had no dowry, no prospects, no fame or wealth, she was unlikely to marry someone from a rich family or well-known. Despite this destiny-like scenario, Matilda responded by marrying a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education.

Q29. Why was Matilda always unhappy?

Or

Why did Matilda suffer incessantly?

 Ans. Matilda was always unhappy. She was not satisfied with what life and fate had given to her. She believed that she was born in a family of petty clerks through some error of destiny. She dreamt of a big and grand house, marvellous dishes, good dresses and jewels. She hated to give an image of poverty. But the harsh realities of life made her unhappy and dissatisfied with her lot.

Q30. What things tortured and angered Matilda?

Or

Do you think that the deep divide between her grand dreams and ordinary living was the cause of her unhappiness? What did she dream of?

Ans. Matilda (Mrs. Loisel) was not among those who take or accept life what it is. She was never satisfied with her lot. Het humble family background didn’t match with her grand dreams. She believed that she was born for all delicacies and luxuries of the world. Her dreams were beyond her means. She dreamt of a big and grand house, marvellous dishes, costly clothes and jewels. The harsh realities of life dashed her to the ground from the seventh heaven of her dreamy world. Hence, she suffered and remained dissatisfied.

Q31. Why didn’t Matilda like to visit her rich friend?

Ans.

Matilda always dreamed of what she could not have. She wanted a lavish mansion, fine meals, expensive dresses and fancy jewels. She was disappointed that she couldn’t get them. When she went to visit her rich friend, she felt mortified when she realized how poor she was in comparison to the lavish life she had just left behind.

Q32. Why did Matilda throw the invitation card spitefully upon the table?

Or

Why did Matilda ask her husband to give the invitation card to some colleague?

Ans. One evening, Matilda’s husband returned home carrying in his hand a large envelope. She drew out a printed card quickly but threw it on the table spitefully. It was an invitation for a ball arranged by the Minister of Public Instruction. She complained that she didn’t have a suitable dress for that grand occasion. She asked him to give that invitation to some colleague whose wife was better fitted out than her.

 Q33. How did Mr Loisel meet the demand for a suitable costume for his wife for going to the ball?

Ans. Matilda refused to go to the ball without having a suitable costume for the occasion. Her husband asked her to wear the dress that she wore while going to the theatre. When Matilda reacted strongly, he asked how much a suitable costume would cost. She replied that it would cost 400 francs. Mr Loisel turned pale. He had saved 400 francs to buy a gun for him to shoot larks. But he bowed down and agreed to give 400 francs to have a pretty dress.

Q34. What and why did Matilda (Mrs. Loisel) put up another demand after her husband gave her 400 francs for buying a pretty dress?

Ans. Mrs. Loisel’s demand of having a suitable costume was fulfilled and her dress was almost ready, but then she put forward another demand. She was vexed not to have a jewel. She had nothing to adorn herself with. She didn’t want to present a poverty-stricken look of herself amidst rich ladies. Mrs. Loisel ridiculed the idea of wearing natural flowers, instead needing some jewels to adorn herself.

Q35. How was Matilda’s demand of adorning herself with jewels fulfilled?

Ans. Mrs Loisel was adamant on having some jewels to adorn herself for the ball. Her poor husband felt helpless. However, an idea struck him. He told her that she could borrow jewels from her rich friend Madam Forestier. Madam Forestier easily agreed and placed her jewellery box before Matilda to make her choice. In the end, Matilda chose a superb diamond necklace and Madam Forestier happily gave the necklace to her friend.

Q36. What made Matilda a grand success at the ball?

Or

How did Matilda perform at the ball and why did men want to be introduced to her?

Ans. It was a great test for Matilda to present herself at the ball. And she was a grand success there. She was the prettiest of them all. She was elegant, graceful and full of joy. She danced with enthusiasm. All the men noticed such a wonderful lady, asked her name and wanted to be introduced to her.

Q37. Why did Mr Loiselhave to put on his clothes to go out into the cold at night, minutes after returning from the ball? Did he succeed in getting what he searched for?

Ans. Matilda, at the ball, has lost her diamond necklace that she borrowed from Madam Forestier and it’s gone. As Mr Loisel is unable to find the necklace, he leaves searching for it. In the following night, he was not able to find what he had been looking for.

Q38. How did Mr and Mrs Loisel replace the lost necklace and gave that to Madam Forestier?

Ans. When they had lost all hopes of getting the lost necklace, Mrs and Mr Loisel decided that they must replace the jewel. In a shop, they found a necklace which seemed to them exactly like the one they had lost. They could get it for 36000 francs. Mr Loisel had 18000 francs which his father had left. They borrowed the rest of the money. The bought the new necklace and returned it to Madam Forestier.

Q39. Why and how did the Loisels spend the horrible and miserable life of necessity?

Ans. Loiselle had heavy debts on their heads. To pay them off, they had to lead a very hard and even miserable life. They sent away from their maid. They changed their lodgings and rented some rooms in the attic. Matilda learnt the odious work of a kitchen. She washed the dishes and soiled linen. She took down the refuse to the street. She clothed like an ordinary woman and did all odd jobs herself. Mr Loisel put the books of some merchants in order. He did copying at five sous a page. It took ten years to pay off all the debts.

Q40. Why didn’t Madam Forestier recognise Matilda? How did both the ladies look?

Ans. One day, Matilda saw Madam Forestier walking with a child. Perhaps because she knew how different Madam Forestier looked now, Matilda said: “Oh, my poor Madam! How you have changed!”

Q41. Why did Matilda say to Madam Forestier ”  and all because of you?”

Ans. Madam Forestier couldn’t recognise Matilda as she had changed so much during those years. Mrs Loisel told her that she had to spend really some hard days. And Madam Forestier herself was responsible for her miseries. Then, she told her the whole story of the lost necklace and how they suffered as they had to pay off the debts.

Q42. Matilda and her husband suffered to pay off the debts which they took on their heads for a false necklace. Comment. Do you find the ending of the story unexpected and ironical?

Ans. At the end of the play, Madam Forestier told Matilda that the necklace which she lent to her and for its replacement they had to suffer so much, was really a false one. It is ironic as well since it turns out that the necklace that brought so much misery and trouble on their heads turned out to be a fake.

Q43. What was the greatest mistake of Mrs Loisel that became the cause of their miseries? Could she have averted it?

Ans. The greatest blunder that Matilda committed was that she didn’t take her friend into confidence. She should have told the whole story as it had happened. That would have pacified Madam klenn Forestier quite easily as the necklace she lent to her friend was not of real diamonds but false ones.

Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each The Necklace

1. Matilda proved a roaring success due to Mme Forester lending her the necklace. How would you attain the stature of being generous?

 Ans.

Matilda received an invitation for the minister’s ball but she did not have anything to wear. Her husband saved up and bought her a new dress, which he loaned to Matilda so she could wear it on the occasion. She borrowed a diamond necklace from a friend so that it would match the dress she would be wearing on the ball, Mme Lisle left a huge impression on the day of the ball. She looked incredible in her elegant dress, gracious, smiling and full of joy. All the men noticed her, asked for her name and wanted to be presented to her. She was able to dance with enthusiasm among all these praises, as that is what she thought about all night. She was so appreciative of Mme Forester lending her the necklace and offered it back at no cost. Later on, she told Mme Lisle that it was not a real diamond necklace but an artificial one.

2. Matilda realized that one little act of negligence can lead to total ruin. How would you prefer to be guided to move on in life?

 Ans. Matilda lost the necklace that she borrowed from Mme Forester. Matilda had to buy a new necklace for thirty-six thousand francs which ruined all her savings. Matilda was forced to move and do all odd jobs like washing, cleaning and grocery shopping, while her husband had to make more copies after his office time. She lost all of their savings and her beauty. Now she’s realized that one little act of negligence can lead to total ruin. We will prefer to go on living according to the situation, even if we have committed mistakes. If we had committed any error, we have damage pay for it with our time. And we need to live bravely too, by doing 811 household tasks or by working extra hours at work. There is no harm in doing this.

3. Lisle wished to keep his wife in good humour. Which values of Matilda impress him?                                                              

 Ans. Lisle wished to keep his wife in good humour. My Lisle was a beautiful and Delicate woman. She was fond of all riches and luxuries. She thought she deserves all these and thought that it is an error of destiny that she is born in a poor family and married to a mere clerk in the office of the Board of Education. Matilda’s beauty and style impressed Lisle. He tried his best to keep her happy. She was fond of parties and balls. That’s an 8 W y when Lisle got an invitation of Ball of minister’s residence. He was happy for his wife. He bought her a new dress for the ball, with the money he had saved to buy a hunting gun. He loved her so much that he bought the new diamond necklace to replace the lost one for thirty-six thousand francs which lost all his savings and compelled him to do extra jobs after office time. These entire all he did because he loved his beautiful wife very much and wanted to keep her happy.

4. The story The Necklace’ teaches us many lessons which form the crux of human values. Discuss.                                                                                                             

 Ans. The story ‘The Necklace’ teaches us many lessons which form the crux of human values. The very first thing it teaches us is the need to be content in life. Matilda, though born into a family of clerks and married to a petty clerk with the Board of Education, remains unhappy. She suffers from the feeling that she is born for all delicacies and luxuries, but has to live miserably in ‘poverty’. So, when she has to attend the office party with her husband, she asks him for money to get a new dress. Her husband sacrifices the money he has saved to buy a gun to get her the dress. Then also she is not content. She feels that she could look still more beautiful with a jewel. She thus borrows a necklace from her friend, thinking that it is made of diamonds. At the party, she remains elegant, gracious, smiling and absolutely happy. She was thus the prettiest of all. But this vanity is short-lived and is the beginning of all troubles in her life. She loses the necklace and she gets a new diamond necklace as its replacement by borrowing heavily. Subsequently, she is pushed to live in poverty as she slogs for ten years to save money to pay back the huge debt. Then the horrible reality frightens her. She realizes how her false pride has taken away her otherwise happy contented life. The story thus discusses the negative effects of pride and vanity and stresses the importance of being satisfied with what one has honesty, love and sacrifice.

5.’Matilda’s craving for a bubble reputation was the cause of her ruin.’ Draw a conclusion as to how she could have avoided the misfortune that dawned upon her.

Ans.

Matilda grows restless and unhappy with her husband when he shows her the invitation to this party. What she thinks of is how she can present herself, be the prettiest, most attractive at the party. Already she feels frivolous, thinking herself to be born for all delicacies and luxuries of life. This party gives her the opportunity to realize her dreams — at any cost — to show off her own beauty. Her vanity and false pride blind her from stopping herself from buying a new dress for the party, as well as borrowing a necklace to add to her appearance. She’s unaware that whatever reputation she would get from these thefts would only be short-lived. If only Matilda’s husband had stopped her from buying this dress or borrowing this necklace, they might have saved themselves some money in exchange for peace of mind.
Unfortunately, the cost of buying a small amount of happiness through borrowing a jewel from a friend had caused them a lot of trouble. Matilda should have not succumbed to temptation and considered all the responsibility that she may have to take on if someone lost their time-saving borrowed piece of jewelry. The need to keep it safe and return it in good condition was more important than the lure of an additional party attended or the feeling of false Pride and Vanity that she felt as a result. This meant she was dissatisfied with life and every little bit of extra money helped her feel happy in some way. With only happiness built on more lasting riches, this misfortune would probably not have come about for either Matilda or her husband.

6.” Oh! My poor Matilda! Mine was false.” Confession saves you from a lot of trouble and the sense of guilt. Justify the statement.

Ans. Matilda’s friend Mme Forester meets her after a long time, nearly a gap of ten years. Perhaps it was destined to. She does not recognize Matilda — old, hard and crude with dishevelled hair and skirts awry. She is astonished to see Matilda in this pathetic condition. Matilda tells her the reason for this — the loss of the original necklace and the misery that followed after replacing the necklace. Mme Forester could only sympathies with Matilda, for the necklace she had lent to Matilda was not of original diamonds. She could have told this clearly to Matilda while giving it to her. Perhaps Mme forester thought she should not dampen Matilda’s spirits by revealing the truth. But what the loss of it.  Brought to Matilda was irreversible. Matilda on her part should have revealed the loss of the necklace to her friend. If it had been of real diamonds, then she could have asked for some time to replace it. Matilda could have thus taken her friend into confidence, but the silent suffering had really taken its toll on her life. If Matilda had only taken courage and been honest to her friend, she would still have been living comfortably, thus justifying the statement given above. Her own senseless attitude led to her ruin.

7.’The Necklace’ reveals that vanity is evil. It may bring joy for a short period but ultimately it leads to ruin. If you were placed in a situation similar to that of Matilda, what would you have done? Write your views

Ans. It is true that vanity is evil. It may bring joy for a short period but ultimately it leads to ruin. Matilda, to get a little pleasure and to show her vanity, borrowed a diamond necklace to wear at the minister’s party. She lost it. Mr Lisle her husband took a big loan to replace it. For ten years both of them worked hard to repay the loan. Poor Matilda had to sacrifice her comfort, youth, softness and beauty. She became a crude, hard, poor lady with rough hair and hands. Later, the irony was Mrs Forester told her that it was a false diamond necklace only for 500 francs. If I were placed in such a situation, I would have told my friend the truth. I would have told her that I felt extremely sorry for losing it and would have assured her that I would replace it, only she should tell me where to get it from and how much it would cost.

8. Write a character sketch of Mrs Lisle.

 Ans. Matilda was of average appearance. Because her appearance, she felt that she was destined to excel in society. She wanted to be admired, respected and loved by an esteemed person and marry into a wealthy or famous family. But she was unlucky and born into a family of business owners. While she wasn’t born with wealth, Matilda agreed to marry a petty clerk; the welt/ always made her life more difficult. Matilda’s dreams were often wild — always imagining pompous affairs, glittering feasts, delicacies and rare jewels. And despite the fragile state of her finances, this only made Matilda more stubborn in pursuing what she wanted which ultimately ended with tragedy for Matilda. Matilda paid dearly for her hubris through financial hardship and alienation from friends and family.

9. Describe in detail the kind of life that Mrs Loisel dreamed of.

Or

Why did Mrs Loisel remain dissatisfied from her life?

Ans. Mrs Loisel was pretty and charming. She was married to a clerk. She led an ordinary existence. But she was not happy with her life. She felt that she should have been born in a rich family. She wanted to lead a life of luxury and comfort. She wanted to enjoy life. She dreamed of a big house in which there was very good furniture. She dreamed of beautiful and costly curtains.

Mrs Loisel dreamed of her private room which was filled with very good perfume. She wanted to enjoy the company of rich and famous guests. When she sat down to dinner, she disliked her cheap and ordinary dining table. She disliked her simple meals. She dreamed of delicious dinners served in shining silver wares. She dreamed of having a number of attractive dresses and costly ornaments. In short, Mrs Loisel dreamed of a rich and luxurious life.

10. What preparations did Mrs Loisel make for the ball?

Or

How did Matilda manage a new dress and jewellery for the ball?

Ans. Mrs Loisel did not have a good dress to wear at the party. She told her husband that a suitable dress would cost four hundred francs. Her husband had been saving money in order to buy a gun. He gave up the idea of purchasing the gun. Mrs Loisel purchased a beautiful dress with that money.

But Mrs Loisel was still not happy. Now she told her husband that she did not have any jewellery to wear at the party. Her husband asked her to request Mrs Forestier for help. Mrs Loisel and Mrs Forestier were very good friends. Mrs Forestier was very rich. She had a number of necklaces. Her husband suggested that she should borrow a necklace from her. Mrs Loisel liked the idea. She went to her friend. Mrs Forestier agreed to lend her a necklace. She showed her several of her necklaces. She asked Mrs Loisel to choose any of those necklaces. All these necklaces looked attractive and costly. At last Mrs Loisel selected a beautiful necklace and borrowed it. In this way, Mrs Loisel made preparations for the party.

11. How did the couple’s life change after they raised the loan for the necklace?

Or

What kind of life did Matilda and her husband live after the loss of the diamond necklace?

Ans. The couple needed thirty-six thousand francs to purchase a diamond necklace and return it to Mrs Forestier. But Mr Loisel had only eighteen thousand francs with him. He raised a loan of eighteen thousand francs for purchasing the necklace.

Now Loisel and his wife worked hard in order to repay that debt. They changed their lodgings. They shifted to a small room. They dismissed their maid. Mrs Loisel did all her household work herself. She had to be very frugal in her purchases. She bargained for small amounts. Mr Loisel did extra work in the evenings. Sometimes late at night, he did the work of copying manuscripts.

After ten years of hard work, they were able to pay off their debt. But because of hard work and misery, Mrs Loisel looked old. Ten years ago, she was pretty and charming. But now she looked unattractive. She had become an ordinary woman in a poor house. She remembered her past life with sadness. Sometimes she remembered that great party. She remembered how beautiful and attractive she had looked at the party. Thus the couple’s life was completely changed after they had raised the loan for the necklace.

12. Write a brief character-sketch of Matilda Loisel.

Ans. Mrs Matilda Loisel is the central character in this story. She was born into a poor family. She was very pretty and attractive. She was married to a clerk. So she led to a simple life. She always dreamed of a rich and luxurious life. She wanted to enjoy life fully. She wanted to attend parties.

Matilda is a tragic character. She borrowed a necklace from a friend to wear at a party. Everybody praised her beauty. But she lost the necklace. The loss of the necklace changed her life. Her husband borrowed a lot of money to replace it. She and her husband worked hard for ten years to repay the debt. In the end, she came to know that the necklace was made of artificial diamonds.

Matilda was a woman of self-respect. She did not tell Mrs Forestier that she had lost the necklace. She decided to suffer in life but not to lose her self respect. She worked hard for ten years. She faced difficulties. But she did not grumble. She suffered for no fault of hers. We feel sympathy for her.

13. What would have happened if Matilda had made the true confession to Mme Forestier?

Ans.

Matilda could have saved herself and her husband a lot of trouble had she confessed the truth to Mme. Forestier. If Matilda had been truthful with her, she would have known what the necklace was made of. But Matilda couldn’t face telling Mme. Forestier that it was false diamonds so she and her husband faced a lot of misery for 10 years as she tried to hide it from her friend.

Q14. Draw a pen-portrait (character-sketch) of Matilda (Mrs. Loisel) in about 100-200 words.

Ans. Matilda or Mrs Loisel was quite a beautiful young lady. Some error of fortune gave her birth in a family of petty clerks. She was highly ambitious and dreamy. Her dreams were impractical and beyond her means. She had to suffer a lot for her acts. But suffering and misfortunes only ended in making her a better human being. She struggled hard like an ordinary maid. She started doing all household works herself. She started living within her limits. She helped her very caring and accommodating husband in saving money. It was a joint effort. They were successful in paying off all their debts in ten years.

Matilda was born with a misconception. She thought, very wrongly, that she was born to enjoy all delicacies and luxuries of the world. She dreamt of a grand house, costly dishes, trendy dresses and glittering jewels.

Matilda was not rich. But she didn’t want to present a poverty-stricken image of her amidst rich ladies. She was a self-respecting woman. She refused to go to the ball without a suitable dress and jewels.

 One blunder of Matilda led to her ruin and sufferings. She lacked humility. She must have gone and confessed before Madam Forestier that she had lost her necklace. She should have avoided unnecessary suffering to herself and to her husband. Much was done about nothing. Had she done so, she could have maintained her beauty and youth as Madam Forestier did.

Q15. Mr Loisel was a caring, accommodating and helpful husband who tried to please his ambitious wife within his limited means. Comment.

Or

Give a character sketch of Mr Loisel highlighting his accommodating nature.

Ans. Mr Loisel was every inch a gentleman. He was caring, accommodating and helpful. He had a better understanding of people and things than his ambitious wife. He knew his limitations and never tried to go beyond his means. However, he stood solidly in thick and thin with his wife. He was ready to make any sacrifice to make her happy.

Mr Loisel was a ‘petty’ clerk in the Ministry of Education. He realised that he was a husband of a beautiful and young, but ambitious wife. So, he made every effort within his means to make her happy. He didn’t believe in showing off like Matilda. He suggested wearing the same dress which Matilda wore when she went to the theatre. He suggested wearing natural flowers instead of jewels. However, when he failed to convince her, he was ready to make the necessary sacrifices. He sacrificed 400 francs that he had saved to buy a gun for hunting, to buy a suitable costume for her. Even in bad times, he stood with his wife. He was self-respecting and contributed all the money, 18000 francs left by his father, to buy a substitute necklace. He worked in the evenings putting the books of some merchants in order to pay off his debts. He also did copying work at five sous a page at night. His hard work and savings helped them to pay off all their debts in ten years.

Q16. Was Matilda’s dream fulfilled at the ball? Why did all men notice and wanted them to be presented to her?

Ans.

Matilda prepared for the ball like it was a grand occasion that demanded respect, while never compromising her time-honored values. She wanted to marry into a rich family without revealing her own poverty-stricken origins. Matilda bought new heels and a fancy dress, then put on all the jewelry she could muster so as to act like a graceful and distinguished lady. All went well for Matilda. She received compliments from all of the ladies present, as well as from many gentlemen who were there as well.Matilda joyfully danced. She enjoyed the experience so much. Matilda was thrilled to be admired and appreciated, and she felt like the prettiest of all. She was elegant and graceful. Matilda’s victory at the ball had given her so much joy, and she beamed when everyone noticed her. Men wanted to be introduced to Matilda, but she made them work for it by not just being alluring — she also sought their opinion on what to do next with her life.

Q17. What is the role of Madam Forestier in the story ‘The Necklace’?

Or

Draw a character sketch of Madam Forestier in your own words.

Ans. Madam Forestier plays quite an important role in the plot of the story ‘The Necklace’. She was a rich friend of Matilda. She was a schoolmate at the convent. Though quite rich, Madam Forestier never gave an image of an arrogant and snobbish lady. When Matilda told her that she needed jewels to adorn herself for the ball, she at once obliged her. She opened her jewel box and asked her to make her choice.

She happily lent her a superb diamond necklace of her choice. If Matilda didn’t want to visit Madam Forestier, it was not her fault. Matilda’s inflated ego prevented her from going there. She suffered so much when she returned the necklace. Matilda suffered because she couldn’t enjoy all delicacies and luxuries like her rich friend.

Madam Forestier could snub Matilda for returning the necklace rather late. She told her, “You should have returned them to me sooner ” But she was a sympathetic lady. She showed her sympathy when she came to know of all miseries that Matilda suffered because of the necklace. Alas! Matilda didn’t take Madam Forestier into her confidence about the lost necklace. Madam Forestier was gracious enough to forgive her. After all, the jewels she lent to Matilda were false.

Q18. What was the single mistake that ruined the Loisels’ lives and brought them so many sufferings? Could they have avoided such a situation?

Or

 How did a false necklace bring unnecessary struggles and sufferings to Loisels? Could a better understanding have avoided them? Give a reasoned answer.

Ans. It is true that a single mistake can change the course of one’s life. This is exactly what happened to Matilda. Wearing a suitable costume and adorning herself with borrowed jewels didn’t bring any reversal of fortunes for Loisels. But hiding the fact that she had lost Madam Forestier’s necklace and not taking her into confidence was indeed a big blunder. It was the greatest mistake that Matilda had ever made in her life. She unnecessarily brought suffering to them for nothing. They had to pay 36000 francs to buy a replacement of Madam Forestier’s necklace. For ten long years, Matilda had to work like an ordinary maid doing all her household work herself Mr Loisel had to do extra works in the evenings and nights to save money.

Of course, the Loisels could have averted such an unfortunate situation. Madam Forestier was an obliging, helpful and forgiving lady. She was rich but not arrogant. She would have easily forgiven her for losing her necklace. After all, the jewels were false. And much was done and suffered just for nothing!

Q19. How did Matilda and her husband struggle and suffer to pay off all their debts? What struggles, sufferings and sacrifices they had to make to become debt-free? What unfortunate changes came with the passage of the time in their lives? Comment.

Ans.

One mistake was what changed the course of Matilda and her husband’s lives. They sank their entire 18,000 francs of inheritance into unnecessary investments while they could’ve been borrowing the rest. The loss of 36,000 francs was entirely avoidable if Madam Forestier had been told before buying a replacement necklace.
The young lady who was unmatched by anything in beauty had to work day-to-day as an average maid. They dispatched the maid, they moved to a different house, they rented a few rooms on the top floor of what used to be an attic. Matilda did all the washing of dishes and dirty clothes. She took food scraps down to the street each morning. She dressed like other ordinary people for other ordinary tasks.
Their miserable life continued for 10 years until all their debts were paid off. The husband, Mr. Loisel, worked evenings and had to put the books of some merchants in order. He did some copying work at five sous per page.