When reading the short story, “The Necklace”, I found that I was able to make predictions about the ending. At the start of the short story, “The Necklace”, I felt pity for Mathilde who was growing up with so little but felt she deserved more. I often feel that way. When I see those who have more than I have, I can’t help but wish I had more, too. However, after reading further into the story I realized that Mathilde was not as unfortunate as I had assumed. She had a servant, plenty of food, and a husband who cared for her enough to bring an invitation home to a desirable ball. It seemed unreal that Mathilde had the nerve to ask for 45o francs to buy herself a gown but even more unreal that she would want more. The quote from Mathilde that most disgusted me was, “You haven’t anything else?” because she was asking her “friend” for more jewelry when Madame Forester was already generous in loaning her smaller pieces. Obviously, Mathilde did not have a strong friendship with Madame Forester, otherwise she would have been happy that her friend offered anything.
Although I did not approve of Mathilde’s actions and attitude, when she was at the ball I understood why she had felt the need to go through so much grief. This ball was the magical moment that Mathilde had dreamed about since childhood. Some girls dream of a Prince, a Sweet Sixteen, being a star. This was Mathilde’s dreamed that she was willing to sacrifice everything for. I found that I was able to predict the outcome of the story while Mathilde was at the ball. Someone who is self absorbed and selfish will never end up with a happy ending. Despite this, I still felt Mathilde’s worst nightmares become reality when she realized she had lost the diamond necklace. I returned to feeling pity and shame for her while she worked her life away repaying debt.I predicted what Madame Forester would tell her years later. When Mathilde heard that the original diamond necklace had been fake all along I could only imagine how stupid, worthless and angry she must have felt.
Hero Analysis.
I would like to believe that everyone can walk with everyone else. To some extent this is true. Everyone can have goals and dreams and can work to achieve them. Some people are more fortunate and achieving their goals comes much easier, but there are many people who have proved that they can do more than what their life offered them. However, when children have grown up in extreme poverty or third world countries, they accept their painful lives as normal. They might not know that the world offers so much more, and their dreams are limited to what they know. With help from organizations like United Nations and charities, many people are given the chance at a better life and discovering their dreams. Sometimes though, there is nothing we can do to help. In North Korea, for example, citizens have limited rights, starve and suffer continuously while their government does nothing to help. Here in North America there are very few opportunities for us to help North Koreans. They are some of the people that do not have a chance to walk with everyone else.
For most of us walking with everyone else comes much easier, but many sacrifices are still made. Many young adults move away from their families homes for a better education and opportunities. Unimaginably huge loans are taken out, and young men and women spend years of their lives paying off these debts. Many also sacrifice work, education, their past and traditions for their love or spouse. People may also sacrifice love and children because they are “married” to their job. Everyday people make sacrifices because it is impossible to achieve all good things in life. Everyone makes different sacrifices based on their goals and what is in their heart. This is true in “The Necklace” for Mathilde makes many sacrifices in the beginning of the story. Her goal is social status and luxury, which many people would shake their heads at. However, these things meant the world for Mathilde, and she was willing to give up nearly everything to achieve them. Furthermore, in the end of the story, Mathilde is forced to give up all her worldly possessions, and more importantly, her pride, all for a “diamond” necklace.
Although I did not approve of Mathilde’s actions and attitude, when she was at the ball I understood why she had felt the need to go through so much grief. This ball was the magical moment that Mathilde had dreamed about since childhood. Some girls dream of a Prince, a Sweet Sixteen, being a star. This was Mathilde’s dreamed that she was willing to sacrifice everything for. I found that I was able to predict the outcome of the story while Mathilde was at the ball. Someone who is self absorbed and selfish will never end up with a happy ending. Despite this, I still felt Mathilde’s worst nightmares become reality when she realized she had lost the diamond necklace. I returned to feeling pity and shame for her while she worked her life away repaying debt.I predicted what Madame Forester would tell her years later. When Mathilde heard that the original diamond necklace had been fake all along I could only imagine how stupid, worthless and angry she must have felt.
Hero Analysis.
I would like to believe that everyone can walk with everyone else. To some extent this is true. Everyone can have goals and dreams and can work to achieve them. Some people are more fortunate and achieving their goals comes much easier, but there are many people who have proved that they can do more than what their life offered them. However, when children have grown up in extreme poverty or third world countries, they accept their painful lives as normal. They might not know that the world offers so much more, and their dreams are limited to what they know. With help from organizations like United Nations and charities, many people are given the chance at a better life and discovering their dreams. Sometimes though, there is nothing we can do to help. In North Korea, for example, citizens have limited rights, starve and suffer continuously while their government does nothing to help. Here in North America there are very few opportunities for us to help North Koreans. They are some of the people that do not have a chance to walk with everyone else.
For most of us walking with everyone else comes much easier, but many sacrifices are still made. Many young adults move away from their families homes for a better education and opportunities. Unimaginably huge loans are taken out, and young men and women spend years of their lives paying off these debts. Many also sacrifice work, education, their past and traditions for their love or spouse. People may also sacrifice love and children because they are “married” to their job. Everyday people make sacrifices because it is impossible to achieve all good things in life. Everyone makes different sacrifices based on their goals and what is in their heart. This is true in “The Necklace” for Mathilde makes many sacrifices in the beginning of the story. Her goal is social status and luxury, which many people would shake their heads at. However, these things meant the world for Mathilde, and she was willing to give up nearly everything to achieve them. Furthermore, in the end of the story, Mathilde is forced to give up all her worldly possessions, and more importantly, her pride, all for a “diamond” necklace.
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