Short Intro
“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.
Question 5
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.
Question 4
If you were caught in such a situation, how would you deal with it?
Answer
I would immediately tell the truth to the owner and apologize honestly. Truthfulness and communication can prevent bigger problems.
Talk About It – Answers
1. What clues show that the characters were not speaking English?
Answer
The use of French words like “Mme”, “Monsieur”, “francs”, and references to Paris and French society indicate that the original language was French.
2. Honesty is the best policy.
Answer
The story proves that honesty prevents suffering. Matilda’s fear and dishonesty resulted in ten years of hardship.
3. We should be content with what life gives us.
Answer
The story teaches that unnecessary desires and dissatisfaction lead to misery, while contentment brings peace and happiness.
Common Mistakes
- Writing only the summary instead of proper answers.
- Forgetting the irony at the end of the story.
- Missing the moral lesson.
- Ignoring character traits in long answers.
- Confusing real and fake necklace details.
Exam Tips
- Mention themes like greed, pride, and irony.
- Write answers in simple points for better marks.
- Use character traits while describing Matilda.
- Include the moral lesson in conclusion-based answers.
- Revise important events chronologically.
Practice MCQs
1. Why was Matilda unhappy?
A. She was poor
B. She wanted a luxurious life
C. She hated her husband
D. She was ill
Correct Answer:
B. She wanted a luxurious life
2. From whom did Matilda borrow the necklace?
A. Her sister
B. Her mother
C. Mme Forestier
D. Her neighbour
Correct Answer:
C. Mme Forestier
3. How long did the Loisels take to repay the debt?
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. 15 years
Correct Answer:
C. 10 years
4. What was the truth about the necklace?
A. It was stolen
B. It was made of gold
C. It was fake
D. It belonged to the minister
Correct Answer:
C. It was fake
FAQ Section
Q1. What is the main theme of “The Necklace”?
The main theme is greed, pride, and the dangers of materialism.
Q2. Who wrote “The Necklace”?
The story was written by Guy de Maupassant.
Q3. Why did Matilda borrow the necklace?
She wanted to look rich and attractive at the minister’s party.
Q4. What is the irony in the story?
The irony is that the necklace was fake, but the Loisels spent ten years repaying the cost of a real diamond necklace.
Q5. What moral lesson does the story teach?
The story teaches the importance of honesty and contentment.
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