Jiamin Bao
May 15, 2007
Draft two
The Quality of Life
The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant has given me a deep impression by the images which have been described vividly in the story. The story creates a typical character called Mathilde to reveal sth deeper. Mathilde who lived in her own luxurious dream lost the necklace which had been borrowed from her friend to be shining at the ball and then she returned another necklace to her friend at the cost of ten years’ hard work, only to find that the losing one was a paste. It may be quite easy to draw the conclusion that Mathilde is a tragic character in the story while a deeper inspection towards the story of mine makes me put forward the question that is Mme. Loisel’s life better or worse as a result of losing the necklace? I believe that there is more positive effect on her than negative effect after all these experience.
First of all, let us have a general view over the situation at the first scene of the story. The living condition of Mathilde is despondent to her. She lived in the world of her illusion which can be easily found between the lines. Such as ‘she was as unhappy as though she had really fallen from her proper station,…She suffered ceaselessly, feeling herself born for all the delicacies and all the luxuries…’ All the plain things make her feel annoyed and unsatisfied. What she wanted is ‘the silent antechambers hung with Oriental tapestry, lit by tall bronze candelabra…’. The conflict between the reality and her illusion made her extremely depressed. She did not work to achieve any value to the society and she did not enjoy her life, either. Being addicted to her own brilliant dream was her only interest. Thus, I should say that her living state is negative and horrible because of being addicted to her luxurious dream.
There is no doubt totally that Mathilde had a hard life which is unimaginable to her in the past to repay the paste with the price of the true necklace. ‘She had become the woman of impoverished households—strong and hard and rough. With frowsy hair, skirts askew,…washing the floor with great swishes of water.’ As the old saying goes, ‘No pains, no gains’ . There is not doubt that Mathilde had suffered a lot during the hard period. Meanwhile, I believe she had learned so much which is more meaningful than appearance. Thus, in the last scene of the story, could she talk to her friend without sense of guilty which is a key factor to possess happiness in people’s lives. ‘She smiled with a joy which was proud and naïve at once..’ She felt tranquil and proud because she knew the value of hard work which makes her keep her dignity. Furthermore, when Mathilde saw her friend who is still charming again, I am sure she would choose to hide if she had not experienced all these. Mathilde valued decency very much before these which can be seen from her refusal to the party at first because the lack of jewel and her escaping at the end of the party to conceal her poverty. While after all these events, she did not value these superficial things anymore. She did not value appearance so much. Thus, could she walk towards to her friends and talked to her positively. Although she may be extremely sad after knowing the fact. In my point of view, it is worthwhile to get virtues at the cost of beauty. Above all, she can feel ‘very glad after the ten years’ hard work’. Only a substantial life can make people feel happy and own a life with high quality.
Everyone has his/her own life. Some can enjoy their lives and achieve many valuable things while some may feel depressed about their lives. The qualities of lives vary from each other tremendously. The key is one’s attitude towards life. Facing life directly is always the best policy to own a positive life. In the The Necklace, because of being addicted to her colorful dream. There is no possibility for her to have a life with high quality without some stimulant. Then, the debt came which urged her to work. Her life became difficult but substantial. After ten years, we can see a new Mathilde who do not value appearance so much, do not dream all the time, do work to support the family and feel proud of herself more or less. That is how it works. Facing the life directly or there are too many difficulties which may become overwhelming in lives. It may be quite tempting and satisfactory to depict a picture(or a dream) in which we can get and achieve anything we desire. While we should always remember the fact that life will not change a bit no matter how fantastic our dreams are. I believe the quality of Mathilde’s life has improved a lot after all these events because she has learnt to face the life no matter how rough it may be. This should be the attitude of us towards the life. Thus can we make our lives full of shine and hope.
Hope everyone can enjoy his/her life. Life is a gift which should be cherished all the time.