Madame Loisel

In the beginning of the story Mme Loisel longed things she could never have. She dreamt of hushed ante-chambers, the oriental hangings lit by tall candles, bronze candelabra, two imposing footmen in knee britches, beautiful varnished furniture and antique armchairs etc.

Mme Loisel is to blame for the dilemma which occurred at the end of the story. I think this because, if Mme Loisel wouldn’t have been so greedy, none of the things would have happened. She didn’t appreciate anything she had; she didn’t listen to her kind husband to wear fresh flowers. She was too selfish and ignored him.

At the start of the story Mme Loisel wished of a better life. “She was unhappy, feeling she was destined for better things…” Mme Loisel was wanted, what was only in her dreams. “She fretted constantly… she felt she had been born for all luxuries and finer things in life…” Mme Loisel had high standards, she didn’t appreciate anything she had, and she didn’t even like her surroundings. She had psychological problems.

Mme Loisel was suggested she wore her theatre dress to the ball; but she was too selfish and wanted a new dress. Monsieur Loisel thought she looked very pretty but she still was ignorant and wanted a stunning dress. “What about your theatre dress?” Her husband took on mind her wife’s feeling and came up with an idea. But she suddenly broke out in tears, she acted like a child.

`After Mme Loisel broke out in tears, when Monsieur Loisel suggested she wore her theatre dress, he then suggested he would buy a dress for her. “How much would a suitable dress cost” This was a kind offer, knowing they were low on money. Then after Mme Loisel thought about the generous offer she had an answer. ” …. After calculating the exact sum, she came out with a shocking amount. 400 francs would be alright.” Monsieur Loisel was astonished, at the price. If he gave Mme Loisel the money, this will add up with him loosing out. “He paled slightly … that was the exact sum he was saving up to buy a gun … so he could go lark shooting with his friends…” Monsieur Loisel is in a situation if he says yes to his wife and buy her a new dress, he won’t be able to go lark shooting. Or if he says no he will break his dear wife’s heart. Monsieur Loisel, for the kind and thoughtful person he is he agreed, “In spite all of that he said alright, I’ll give you the 400 francs but make sure you buy yourself a really nice one.” Monsieur Loisel shows his courtesy by handing over the money. Although Monsieur Loisel didn’t want to give the money over, he did, he was also mature and polite and told Mme Loisel to buy a beautiful one.

Mme Loisel then wanted a piece of nice jewellery. Monsieur Loisel support idly said to wear fresh flowers instead. But she remained unconvinced. So then monsieur Loisel suggested she went to her friend and borrowed her jewellery. Mme Loisel shouted yes! Although Monsieur Loisel was upset he used some common sense and once again suggested yet another good idea. Then Mme Loisel went straight to her friends house the next day.

The next day Mme Forester was very nice and gave Mme Loisel a variety of jewelleries which she had got from a nice glass cabinet. First Mme Loisel saw some bracelets and a pearl necklace. Then she saw a Venetian cross delicately worked in gold and precious stones. she tried each one on in front of the mirror, hesitating to take them off. All she kept asking was, ‘do you have anything else. Mme Forester said of course keep looking.’ Mme Loisel was in her own fantasy world. Then suddenly she came across a superb diamond necklace in a black case, as her heart beat faster as she opened it. This became to her liking on her first sighting. She constantly kept asking ‘can you lend me this please and nothing else?’ Mme Forester said yes and Mme Loisel filled with joy and hugged her friend. At the beginning of searching through the jewellery she agreed to lend her friend jewellery, ‘yes of course, and choose what u like’ Mme forester was very calm and trusted her dear friend. She knew it would be in good hands.

At the ball she was the greatest looking girl there, ‘she was the belle of the ball, elegant and graceful. As all the men gazed at her, they all wanted to dance with her’. All the top ministers and the top minister himself wanted to dance with her. At the party she looked didn’t look anything like a poor woman. She took all her worries and thoughts out and enjoyed herself. She danced herself in a cloud of happiness. However Monseuir Loisel was asleep with three other gentlemen. He was tired and thinking about the next day, not to be tired.

After the party as they both prepared to go home monsieur Loisel draped around her shoulders the cloak she wore every day. The drape looked tatty and showed her background. All that Mme Loisel wanted to do is leave quickly. Monsieur Loisel said, ‘wait one moment, its cold I’ll get a carriage.’ she wouldn’t listen and ran down the stairs to an ancient cab that was free. As they shivered they went home into the night. At 10 o clock at their apartment, Mme Loisel took off her cloak in front of the mirror looking at herself. But then suddenly she cried out,, ‘its gone, the necklace its gone.’ Mme Loisel was in horror. they both searched everywhere for it, no luck. Monsieur Loisel got changed and went back over the route they had walked. He went out about 7 o clock and came back in the morning. they went to the police station, wrote in the local newspapers, but still no luck.

After a few weeks Mme Loisel went to the jewellers to find a similar copy. After millions of tries she found one that cost 36000 francs. they bought it with lots of loans, and monsieur Loisel’s inherited 18000 francs.

After 10 years of suffering Mme Loisel met Mme Forester in the street. She went up to her and introduced herself. Mme Forester had no reorganisation. After she said her name she utterly cried, #Mme Forester showed sympathy, and asked what had happened. After explaining that ‘her necklace only cost 500 francs.’ this taught Mme Forester a lesson, not to be greedy and selfish.

At the end of the story Mme Loisel and her husband came to know ‘what the life of the very poor,’ this decision changed their whole life, they sold their lodging and moved into a small room and they both had to work. Mme Loisel did the housework, cleaning, shopping, etc. They had to save as much money as they could.

Overall I think Mme Loisel did not behave in a sensible way. All her 10 years of suffering happened because of her need to wear nice clothes and jewellery. ‘’With supreme effort, Mme Loisel shouted emotionally, nothing I have to wear” this shows that she didn’t care. Even though she had been suggested to wear her theatre dress, and fresh flowers. She wanted a new dress and new jewellery to wear. The reject of suggestion resulted in a life of misfortune and depression.

I think Monsieur Loisel was sensible. He wanted to help his wife, so he gave up his dream and handed himself to his wife. He only wanted to give his wife a great time. This mistake lead to him having a bad future. It wasn’t his fault and greedy Mme Loisel didn’t deserve her husband.

I don’t think that Mme Forester was to blame for Mr and Mme Loisel. Mme Forester Didn’t bothers looking at her necklace because she trusted her friend with it. Maybe if she had checked the necklace she would have realised that it was a different necklace.

I think that the message is not to be greedy or selfish. Appreciate what you have and don’t take it for granted. Otherwise the same thing that happened to Mme and Monsieur Loisel will happen to you.