The Necklace Summary

The Enchanting Yearnings of Madame Loisel

A pretty and charming girl, born into a family of artisans, was married to a clerk in the Ministry of Education. She suffered endlessly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury. Her poor house, with its mean walls, worn chairs, and ugly curtains, tormented and insulted her. The sight of the little Breton girl who came to do the work in her little house aroused heart-broken regrets and hopeless dreams in her mind.

She imagined silent antechambers, heavy with Oriental tapestries, lit by torches in lofty bronze sockets, with two tall footmen in knee-breeches sleeping in large arm-chairs, overcome by the heavy warmth of the stove. She imagined vast saloons hung with antique silks, exquisite pieces of furniture supporting priceless ornaments, and small, charming, perfumed rooms created just for little parties of intimate friends, men who were famous and sought after.

One evening, her husband came home with an exultant air, holding a large envelope in his hand. He handed her a printed card on which was written: "The Minister of Education and Madame Ramponneau request the pleasure of the company of Monsieur and Madame Loisel at the Ministry on the evening of Monday, January the 18th."

She flung the invitation petulantly across the table, murmuring that she had tremendous trouble getting it. She thought she'd be pleased, but she had tremendous trouble getting it. Every one wants one; it's very select, and very few go to the clerks. She looked at him out of furious eyes and said impatiently, "Why do you suppose I am to wear at such an affair?" He stammered, saying, "Why the dress you go to the theatre in. It looks very nice, to me."