The e-text The Necklace

Week 14

12/03

Aim:

1. How would you describe Mathilde?
2. How would you describe Mr. Loisel's character?
3. Before the party, how would you describe Mr. And Mrs Loisel's financial position?

Do Now:

Procedure:

Who was Guy de Maupassant? List five facts about the author. HW#39 List five important facts about him( mostly his accomplishments) in your notebook. Explain how  Maupassant stood out as a writer.

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893), French author of the naturalistic

12/05

Aim: How would you describe Mathilde?

Do Now:

Procedure:

Respond to Journal #1

ENVY

1. How would you define the word envy?
2. How can envy be harmful to oneself or others?
3. Have you ever experienced envy?
4.  How was Mathilde envious?

Copy in your notebook Questions 1-6

1. What is the setting of the story? [The setting is in the late 19th century, in Paris, France.]
2. What evidence do you find in the story that tells you this? [The names are French. Paris is named as the city. The Champs-Elysees is a famous section in Paris, France. The Seine is a river in France that flows through Paris. Madame, is a French word. The currency used is the franc.]
3. Before the party, how would you describe Mr. And Mrs Loisel's financial position? Are they poor, middle income or rich? How do you know? [They are middle income. They don't have expensive clothing, a big bank account, etc., but they have enough to live on and apparently live in a middle income part of town--after Marsha loses the necklace, they move to "a less favorable side of town."]
4. Is Mr. Loisel more accepting of his financial/social place in life than Mathilde? [Yes. He obtains the invitation primarily for her. Also, it isn't so important to him that they have expensive things. For instance, he suggests she wear flowers rather than jewelry.]
5. Is Madame Forestier the type of person who would have been cruel to Marsha about losing the necklace? [No. She seems to be very kind and generous.]
6. How would you describe Mr. Loisel's character? [He is a wimp. He lets the people around him dominant him.] What evidence do you find in the play that supports this? [When he gives his wife the invitation, she is not happy with it; he seems to be hurt but says nothing about it. His wife has her way in everything--first there is the money to buy a new dress, then he encourages her to borrow expensive jewelry, and finally he goes deeply into debt to buy a replacement for the lost necklace. Even though he knows these things are not wise, he goes along with her and purchases the necklace.]

Glossary

Look up the definitions of the following words-

1. blunder:(5) a gross error or mistake resulting usually from stupidity, ignorance, or carelessness
2. dowry: the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage
3. hierarchy: the classification of a group of people according to ability or to economic, social, or professional standing; also : the group so classified
4. abrade(4): to rub or wear away especially by friction : erode
5. indignant: angry
6. coquettish: behavior of a woman who endeavors without sincere affection to gain the attention and admiration of men
7. chagrin(1): disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure
8. descent: derivation from an ancestor : birth, lineage
9. disconsolate(3)  cheerless
10. frugal: careful about spending money
11. ardor: an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling  b: extreme vigor or energy : intensity c: zeal d: loyalty
12. promissory:  containing or conveying a promise or assurance
13. usurers(2): one that lends money especially at an exorbitant rate
14. deprivation: an act or instance of depriving : loss
15. Artisans :1 : a worker who practices a trade or handicraft : craftsperson 2 : one that produces something (as cheese or wine) in limited quantities often using traditional methods   
16. Gallantries: 1archaic : gallant appearance2 a: an act of marked courtesy b: courteous attention to a lady c: amorous attention or pursuit3: spirited and conspicuous braver
17. Inscrutable :not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood : mysterious <an inscrutable smile> <inscrutable motives>
18.  Petulantly  : insolent or rude in speech or behavior 2 : characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor : peevish
19. Abject(5):sunk to or existing in a low state or condition <to lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fallen — John Milton>2 a: cast down in spirit : servile, spiritless <a man made abject by suffering> b: showing hopelessness or resignation <abject surrender>3: expressing or offered in a humble and often ingratiating spirit <abject flattery> <an abject apology>

HW# 40 In your own words, describe Mathilde and find three quotations in the text to support your descriptions.

12/06

Aim: What is the symbolic meaning of the paste necklace as it relates to Mathilde at the beginning of the story?

Do Now:

Procedure:

Journal #2

TRUTH

1. Have you ever had a personal experience where you found it hard to tell the truth, or where telling a lie seemed the right thing to do?
2. Is it hard to always be truthful?
3. Why is it important to be truthful?
4. How would Mathilde's life have been different if she had been truthful?
5. What advantages does telling the truth have over telling a lie?

Answer the questions:

1.Why did M. Loisel expect his wife to be pleased to receive the invitation from the Minister of Education?

2. Describe Mme Loisel's reaction on reading the invitation.

3. Why had M. Loisel been saving 400 Francs?

4. Compare and contrast the life of Mme Lebrun before and after the disappearance of the necklace.

Copy in your notebook:

1. When Mr. And Mrs. Loisel are about to leave the jewelry store, the jeweler says, "You will have a lifetime to enjoy these diamonds." This statement as an example of Irony. Explain the irony of this statement. [In making the statement, the jeweler means the beauty of the necklace will be hers to enjoy; butthe Loisels and the reader know that far from being a pleasure, the diamonds are likely to give her a lifetime of work and hardship-the opposite of the implied meaning of the statement.]
2. What is the symbolic meaning of the paste necklace as it relates to Mathilde at the beginning of the story? [The necklace symbolizes the glittering world that Mathilde is not a part of but desperately wishes to be.]

HW #41  Journal #3

CONTENTMENT

1. How would you define "being content with your life"?
2. How would you define "being discontented with your life"?
3. Can discontent have a positive effect upon one's life? Explain.

12/07

Aim: What is the theme of "The Necklace"?

Do Now:

Journal Writing #4

BORROWING AND LENDING

1. What responsibilities do you have when you borrow something?
2. What responsibilities do you have when you lend something?
3. How do you feel when you owe someone money and are overdue in repaying it?
4. How do you feel when someone owes you money and is overdue in repaying it?

Procedure:

Answer the questions:

1. When the true value of the lost necklace is revealed, it is obvious that Madame Forestier owes Mathilde a great deal of money. Considering Madame Forestier's kind and generous nature, one could easily imagine her giving Mathilde the money. Mathilde could then afford to move in fashionable social circles and buy fashionable clothes of her own. Explain the irony of this. [Mathilde is no longer young and beautiful; she would look out of place fashionably dressed. If Mathilde should receive the money, the irony would be: Now that she can have beautiful things, Mathilde has no need for them.]
2. What is the theme of "The Necklace"? [It is better to tell the truth and face the consequences than to try to protect one's pride by telling a lie.]

HW# 42 Select 6 questions from below and answer them. Finish responding to all four journals.

1.  Do you think Mme Loisel recognized good quality jewellery?
2. Why was Mathilde unhappy with her life at the opening of the story?
3. Do you think M. Loisel enjoyed the ball?
4. Why were the Loisels allowed to buy the new necklace for less than the asking price?
5. Why do you think Mme Forestier never contacted Mme Loiser after the 'return' of her necklace?
6. Do you think M. Loisel was content with his life before the ball took place?
7. How did M. Loisel contribute to the cost of the new necklace?

Evaluative Questions:

1. Do you agree with the author that "women have no caste or class" (top page 1) Today, surely, the same applies to men?
2. Write a different end to the story, assuming that either Mme Loisel never lost the necklace or that she found the necklace
3. How far do you think force of character affects our lives? Do you think it would be easier for a young, married woman to fulfil her dreams today?
4. Discuss whether the Loisels chose the right course of action when they found the necklace was missing? What other choices were open to them and why were these not chosen?
5. Do you think there is a moral to this story?
   
   Extra Credit Work:
6. Draw a strip cartoon representing the moment Mme Loisir noticed Mme Forestier in the Champs-Elysees to the moment they parted.