the necklace by guy de maupassant. time and place paris, france during the late 1800s
TRANSCRIPT
THE NECKLACE
By Guy de Maupassant
TIME AND PLACE
P
aris, France
D
uring the late 1800s
BACKGROUND INFO
I
n late 1800s, society in Paris had a rigid class
structure.
A
ristocrats were at the top of the social ladder. They
had wealth, large estates, and many servants.
BACKGROUND INFO
B
elow the aristocrats was the middle class. These consisted of merchants,
clerks, government workers, and others.
M
iddle class families generally lived in modest homes or apartments and could
afford to hire a servant or two.
T
hey were not starving or poor, however they did have a lot less money and
social stature as the aristocrats.
M
IDDLE-CLASS WOMEN DID NOT WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME. ONLY MEN
WORKED.
BACKGROUND INFO
B
elow the middle class, there was a huge number of peasants and
servants who worked for the rich or farmed the land.
P
eople would try to own material goods to make themselves look
higher in society than they were.
B
oth men and women in the lowest class worked hard labor with
long hours for the rich.
CONNECTING TO THE STORY
I
n “The Necklace,” a character wishes she owned
something far more costly than she can afford.
W
rite three reasons why a person might want to have
expensive things. Use at least three of these words:
obtain, impress, exceed, and identify.
GUY DE MAUPASSANT
W
rote short stories that are realistic and pessimistic.
Often have surprise endings.
“
The Necklace” is perhaps his most widely read story.
H
e was interested in the psychology of his characters.
Mini French Lesson
M
. = Monsieur = Mr.
M
me. = Madame = Mrs.S
o, a M. would be married to a Mme.