Interrupted reading

The Necklace

  • Mathilde Complains

    Mathilde tells her husband that she despises her position in life, and wants to be adored by people. SHe feels that she was born into the wrong "social class."
  • Period: to

    Key events from "The Necklace"

  • Mr. Loisel gets invited

    Mr. Loisel gets invited
    Mathilde's husband comes home with an invitation to the Minister of education's private ball. This is a very upscale event for only the finest people!
  • Mathilde has a meltdown

    Mathilde cries because she doesn't have a nice enough dress to go to the party. Her husband caves and gives her the money he was saving to buy a rifle.
  • Mathilde has no jewelry

    Mathilde has no jewelry
    Mathilde again has a meltdown because she owns no fine jewelry to go with her beautiful dress. Her husband suggests that she visit her friend to borrow something nice.
  • Mathilde borrows the necklace

    Mathilde borrows the necklace
    Mathilde borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from her friend. She is ready for the party!
  • Time to party!

    Time to party!
    Mathilde is a huge hit at the party. Everyone loves her and wants to dance with her.
  • Uh-Oh!!!!

    Uh-Oh!!!!
    Mathilde Loses the diamond necklace and cannot find it!
  • Mathilde makes excuses

    Mathilde tells her friend that she has broken the necklace and needs to have it fixed in order to buy time to get a new necklace.
  • Mathilde buys a new necklace

    Mathilde buys a new necklace
    Mathilde and her husband sell everything they own and make ruinous deals in order to buy a new necklace. They are now absolutely destitute.
  • Sell the house

    The couple sells their lovely apartment and buys a garret under the eaves.
  • Mathilde goes to work

    Mathilde gets a job to help make payments on the necklace
  • Mathilde's husband works overtime

    Mathilde's husband is forced to work 3 jobs to make payments.
  • Mathilde haggles

    Mathilde is forced to bargain for food with the fruit seller, the butcher, and the grocer.
  • The Loisels get used to the new life

    Working hard and scraping by are becoming a habit for the couple.
  • Mathilde does not age gracefully

    Mathilde is no longer youthful and pretty. Her face has aged and her body is tired.
  • Mathilde sees her friend in the park

    Mathilde sees her old friend in the park and says hello. She explains the story of the lost necklace and her friend responds with amazement. It turns out the necklace was fake!!!!!!!