The necklace which Mme. Loisel believes is real is later revealed to be faux, (meaning false in French) just as the material values that Mme Loisel holds as of the greatest importance are false.
She dressed plainly because she could not afford fine clothes....She grieved incessantly, feeling that she had been born for all the little niceties and luxuries of living. She grieved over the shabbiness of her apartment, the dinginess of the walls, the worn-out appearance of the chars, the ugliness of the draperies.
So, in essence, the necklace underscores the theme that material possessions cannot bring a person happiness--a most relevant theme today.
That Mme. Loisel is entirely materialistic is evident from the beginning of the story until the end. When her husband brings home the invitation to the ball, thinking she will be delighted, she merely complains that she has nothing to wear. Then, when he sacrifices the money that he has been saving for a rifle and donates it for a new dress for her, she does not even thank him. Nor does she thank her husband for the years of sacrifice that he endures on her behalf. After Mme. Loise has returned the necklace and she meets Mme. Forestier in the park, selfishlessly she places blame upon Mme. Forestier for her hard years:
Yes, I've had a hard time since last seeing you. And plenty of misfortunes--and all on account of you!
Never does Mathilde Loisel appreciate the love of her husband and the friendship of Mme. Forestier. Like the necklace, Mme. Loisel is a person of falseness.
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