She loses the necklace after the party.

She has to figure out how to save money when she becomes poor.

She values material things more than her husband does.

She struggles with whether to tell Madame Forestier the truth.

Calmly or coolly

Wildly or recklessly

Happily or excitedly

Nervously or cautiously

Their conversation illustrates that both characters are concerned about how the other will behave at the party.

Their conversation shows the different ways each character believes the party will demonstrate their social status.

Their conversation emphasizes the different opinions each character has of the Minister of Education and his wife.

Their conversation highlights the different levels of experience each character has in attending parties thrown by the upper class.

“‘...I haven't a dress and so I can't go to this party. Give your invitation to some friend of yours whose wife will be turned out better than I shall.’”

"'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.'"

"One evening her husband came home with an exultant air, holding a large envelope in his hand."

‘Why darling, I thought you’d be pleased...Everyone wants one; it’s very select, and very few go to the clerks. You’ll see all the really big people there.’”

"He stopped, stupefied and utterly at a loss when he saw that his wife was beginning to cry."

verbal (character says one thing but means the opposite)

dramatic (reader knows something that a character doesn't)

situational (what happens is the opposite of what is expected, as in a big plot twist)

Situational. Although Matilda lives a modest, middle-class lifestyle, she believes that she deserves to be rich.

Dramatic. Readers know that the original necklace is of little value, but Madame Loisel and her husband do not know.

Situational. The necklace that Madame Loisel and her husband go into debt to replace turns out to be fake and of little value.

Dramatic. Readers know that Madame Forestier will trick Madame Loisel, but Loisel is unaware of Forestier's plan.

Appreciate what you have, as being greedy can lead to your downfall or ruin.

Honesty is the best policy.

Sometimes appearances don't match reality.

Sacrificing one's personal happiness for the sake of others always leads to good consequences.

“Madame Loisel came to know the ghastly life of abject poverty...She came to know the heavy work of the house, the hateful duties of the kitchen.”

"She had a rich friend, an old school friend whom she refused to visit, because she suffered so keenly when she returned home."

"Suddenly she discovered, in a black satin case, a superb diamond necklace; her heart began to beat covetously."

"When she sat down for dinner at the round table covered with a three-days-old cloth, opposite her husband...she imagined delicate meals, gleaming silver..."

She is jealous and envious of Madame Forestier's wealthier lifestyle.

She cares about what others think of her, and she doesn't want to be perceived as poor.

She hates her middle-class lifestyle and wants more luxurious, finer things.

She often asks her husband for advice and trusts his judgment.

"She had no clothes, no jewels, nothing. And these were the only things she loved; she felt that she was made for them."

"The day of the party drew near, and Madame Loisel seemed sad, uneasy and anxious. Her dress was ready, however."

"She took off the garments in which she had wrapped her shoulders, so as to see herself in all her glory before the mirror."

"She was conscious of this and was anxious to hurry away, so that she should not be noticed by the other women putting on their costly furs.”

It causes Madame Loisel and her husband to go into debt and become poor.

It causes Madame Loisel and her husband to become uninvited to the ball.

It causes Madame Loisel and her husband to search for the lost necklace.

It causes Madame Forestier to go to the jeweler's to purchase a new necklace.

Madame Loisel came from a wealthy family and feels that she married down, while husband feels that he married up.

Madame Loisel isn't happy with her lifestyle and wants to be wealthy, but her husband is content.

Madame Loisel is content with her lifestyle, but her husband wants finer things.

Madame Loisel is not affected the opinions of others, but her husband always strives to make a good impression.

"She was...born...into a family of artisans. She had no marriage portion, no expectations, no means of getting known...and she let herself be married off to a little clerk..."

“She suffered endlessly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury. She suffered from the poorness of her house, from its mean walls, worn chairs, and ugly curtains.”

"He stopped, stupefied and utterly at a loss when he saw that his wife was beginning to cry. Two large tears ran slowly down from the corners of her eyes..."

"'No... there's nothing so humiliating as looking poor in the middle of a lot of rich women.'"

“...her husband, who took the cover off the soup-tureen, exclaiming delightedly: ‘Aha! Scotch broth! What could be better?’”