The Necklace

Mrs.Welkenbach

Pre-AP English 2

26 October 2016

Generosity vs. Greed

In “The Diamond Necklace”, Guy de Maupassant illustrates Mme. Loisel’s greed and others generosity throughout the story. Loisel is a woman that believes she deserves more, so she expects more from others like her husband. Mme. Loisel’s hamartia of being greedy led her to her demise, and poverty.

Madame Loisel’s indulgences first demonstrated when she refuses the invitation and complains to her husband. “Only I have no gown, and, therefore, I can't go to this ball. Give your card to some calling who is wife is better equipped than I am.” This stubbornness shows that she can not present herself in front of rich people without wearing high value clothes. She also insults her husband by telling him to give the invitation to a richer husband and wife. Loisel is a martyr because she exaggerates her poverty and financial situation.

Contrary to Madame Loisel her husband wants to make her happy to fulfill her wants. “Very well. I will give you four hundred Francs, and try to have a pretty gown.” Even though he was saving his money up to buy a gun and go on a hunting trip he gave it to his wife. Mssr. Loisel wanted to make Mme. Loisel’s fantasy of an elegant ball become a reality with an expensive dress. This makes him generous because he prioritized others wants over his.

Madame Loisel’s greed branches off to ungratefulness, exampled when she first receives the invitation to the ball from her husband. “Instead of being delighted, as her husband hoped, she threw the invitation on the table crossley, muttering, “what do you wish me to do with that?” As explained in the quote, Mme. Loisel immediately repelled from the invitation. Instead of respectfully declining the invitation to the ball, she shot down the idea, not even recognizing her husband for trying to make her happy.