“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant is an important chapter from the NCERT Class 10 English supplementary reader Footprints Without Feet. The story highlights themes like greed, pride, honesty, appearance versus reality, and the consequences of dissatisfaction. Below are complete step-by-step solutions, explanations, important concepts, MCQs, FAQs, and exam-oriented notes for students.
Quick Information Box
Topic
Details
Chapter Name
The Necklace
Book
Footprints Without Feet
Class
10
Author
Guy de Maupassant
Genre
Short Story
Main Themes
Greed, Pride, Honesty, Materialism
Important Character
Matilda Loisel
Exam Importance
Very High
Concepts Used (Topics Covered)
Character Sketch of Matilda Loisel
Irony in the Story
Theme of Pride and Greed
Importance of Honesty
Appearance vs Reality
Moral Values
Consequences of False Prestige
Important Formulas
Concept
Key Point
Moral Formula
Greed + Pride = Suffering
Theme Formula
Appearance ≠ Reality
Life Lesson
Contentment leads to happiness
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions with Explanation
Question 1
What kind of a person is Mme Loisel? Why is she always unhappy?
Answer (Step-by-step Explanation)
Mme Loisel was a beautiful but dissatisfied woman.
She belonged to a middle-class family but dreamed of luxury and wealth.
She always compared herself with rich women.
She disliked her simple house, ordinary clothes, and modest lifestyle.
Her endless desire for riches made her unhappy.
Final Answer
Mme Loisel was a beautiful, ambitious, and materialistic woman. She was always unhappy because she wanted a luxurious life which she could not afford. Her dissatisfaction with her middle-class life caused continuous sadness.
Question 2
What kind of a person is her husband?
Answer (Step-by-step Explanation)
Mr. Loisel was a simple and caring man.
He loved his wife deeply and tried to make her happy.
He sacrificed his savings to buy her a dress.
He worked hard for many years to repay the debt.
Final Answer
Mr. Loisel was honest, loving, hardworking, and supportive. He cared deeply for his wife and willingly sacrificed his comfort for her happiness.
Question 3
What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?
Answer
Mme Loisel became worried because she had no jewellery to wear at the minister’s party. She feared that she would look poor among rich women.
Question 4
How is the problem solved?
Answer
Her husband suggested that she borrow jewellery from her rich friend Mme Forestier. She borrowed a beautiful diamond necklace from her.
What do M. and Mme Loisel do after losing the necklace?
Answer (Step-by-step)
They searched everywhere for the necklace.
Mr. Loisel went to the police and newspaper offices.
They visited cab offices to trace the lost necklace.
When they failed to find it, they decided to replace it.
Final Answer
After losing the necklace, the Loisels searched desperately for it. When all efforts failed, they bought a new diamond necklace to replace the lost one.
Question 6
How do they replace the necklace?
Answer
They bought another necklace costing thirty-six thousand francs. Mr. Loisel used his inheritance and borrowed the remaining money through loans.
Think About It – Detailed Answers
Question 1
The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Answer
The necklace completely changed the Loisels’ lives. To replace the lost necklace, they borrowed huge amounts of money. They lived in poverty for ten years, worked extremely hard, and suffered greatly. Ironically, the original necklace was fake and inexpensive.
Question 2
What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
Answer
Matilda’s greed, pride, and desire for luxury caused her ruin. She could have avoided the tragedy by being honest and informing Mme Forestier immediately about losing the necklace.
Question 3
What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed the truth?
Answer
If Matilda had confessed the truth, Mme Forestier would have told her that the necklace was fake. The Loisels would have been saved from years of poverty and suffering.
