The Necklace

Plot
Mathilde Loisel feels slighted because although she is charming and attractive, she was born into poor circumstances and, as a result, has married a lowly Education Ministry clerk. One day Mr. Loisel excitedly tells her that he has finagled a rare invitation to a ministry ball at which senior officials will be present. Instead of rejoicing, Mathilde despairs, since she has nothing nice to wear. Her husband agrees to give her 400 francs, which he has been saving for a new gun so he could shoot larks with his friends, so she can buy a new dress. However, as the ball nears, she is still upset, since she doesn't have even a single jewel to wear. Her husband suggests that she borrow one from her friend, Jeanne Forestier, and she does so.

Mathilde impresses everyone at the ball; even the minister notices her. However, while returning to their home, she loses the necklace. Despite extensive searching, Mr. Loisel can't find it. They find a similar diamond in a store and bargain the seller down to 36,000 francs. They exhaust their life savings and borrow from friends and money-lenders to purchase the diamond, and then Mathilde returns it to Mrs. Forestier, who does not notice that the diamond is not the original.

The Loisels go through extreme hardships to pay off their debts. They move to a smaller apartment and dismiss their maid, Mr. Loisel takes odd jobs, and Mathilde does household chores. After ten years, they finally pay off their debts, although due to her hard work Mathilde's looks have faded. Her only consolation is recalling that evening long ago when she had made such an impression upon high society. She wonders what her life would have been like had she not lost the jewel.

One day she notices Mrs. Forestier, who has retained her good looks, and greets her. Mrs. Forestier is shocked to be addressed so familiarly by a common woman, but Mathilde tells her who she is, and Mrs. Forestier is surprised by how much her looks have changed. Mathilde decides to tell her everything, and Mrs. Forestier is shocked to hear about the hardships that the Loisels have endured for the loss of the necklace. She says that it was an imitation and cost no more than 500 francs.

Characters
 Jeanne Forestier Mathilde Loisel Mr. Loisel 