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I. Chapter Summary

“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant is a poignant short story about Madame Mathilde Loisel, a woman who is dissatisfied with her modest life and yearns for luxury and social status. When she borrows a seemingly expensive necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier to attend a grand party, she loses it. Rather than confess, Mathilde and her husband buy a replacement by taking loans and spending the next ten years in poverty to repay the debt. In a tragic twist, Mathilde later discovers that the original necklace was fake.
Themes: Pride, appearance vs. reality, materialism, sacrifice, and the consequences of vanity and dishonesty.

II. Key Concepts Covered

Concept	Explanation
Materialism	Mathilde’s desire for a luxurious life leads to her downfall.
Irony	The twist ending reveals that all the suffering was for a fake necklace.
Appearance vs. Reality	Mathilde values appearance over truth, which backfires.
Sacrifice and Hardship	She and her husband endure years of suffering for a lie.
Vanity and Pride	Mathilde’s unwillingness to admit the truth reflects her ego.

III. Important Questions

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

1. What did Mathilde borrow from Madame Forestier?
   • a) A dress
   • b) A tiara
   • c) A necklace
   • d) A pair of shoes
   •  Answer: c) A necklace
     (PYQ – 2020)
2. How many years did the Loisels take to repay the debt?
   • a) 1 year
   • b) 5 years
   • c) 10 years
   • d) 15 years
   •  Answer: c) 10 years
3. What was the necklace made of?
   • a) Real diamonds
   • b) Gold and rubies
   • c) Silver
   • d) Paste (imitation jewelry)
   •  Answer: d) Paste
4. What is the main irony in the story?
   • a) Mathilde is rewarded for her sacrifice
   • b) The necklace turns out to be worthless
   • c) Forestier tells her the truth early
   • d) Mathilde becomes rich
   •  Answer: b) The necklace turns out to be worthless

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks)

1. What changes occurred in Mathilde’s life after she lost the necklace? (PYQ – 2020)
2. Why was Mathilde unhappy with her life at the beginning of the story?
3. How did Monsieur Loisel support his wife during the crisis?
4. Why didn’t Mathilde tell Madame Forestier the truth?

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

1. Discuss the irony in The Necklace. How does it affect the reader’s understanding of the story? (PYQ – 2019)
2. What lesson does the story teach about honesty and contentment?
3. Compare the character traits of Mathilde before and after the loss of the necklace.
4. “Pride and vanity lead to downfall.” Explain with reference to the story.

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)

1. If Mathilde had told her friend the truth, how could her life have been different?
2. What does the story suggest about the value of appearances in society?

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts

This chapter is literary, not mathematical or scientific, but important literary devices and concepts include:

• Irony: The central twist—the necklace was fake—makes the story memorable.
• Character Contrast: Madame Loisel (vain and proud) vs. Madame Forestier (rich yet modest).
• Symbolism: The necklace symbolizes false pride, superficial status, and societal pressure.
• Theme: False values and the price of vanity.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026)

 No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks (2025–26).

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026)

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Type of Questions Typically Asked
The Necklace	6–8 marks	1 MCQ, 1 Short Answer, 1 Long Answer, 1 HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Year	Marks	Question
2019	5	Discuss the role of irony in The Necklace.
2020	2	What changes came into Mathilde’s life after the ball?
2021	3	Why didn’t Mathilde tell the truth about losing the necklace?

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics

• Financial Planning: The story shows how borrowing without planning can lead to long-term suffering.
• Self-Esteem vs. Social Image: In today’s world of social media, people often prioritize appearances over reality.
• Minimalism: Encourages contentment and value of simplicity in a materialistic society.
• Communication and Honesty: Highlights the importance of honest conversations in avoiding misunderstandings.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success

 Time Management

• Make story timelines to track events and character development.
• Allocate 10 minutes weekly to theme-based revision and summary writing.

 Exam Preparation

• Focus on “irony,” “character change,” and “message/moral” questions.
• Use past year questions for practice.

 Stress Management

• Reflect on personal experiences of truth vs. image—writing reflections helps emotional learning.
• Practice gratitude journaling to appreciate what one has.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration

For Classes 9–10

Streams Overview:

• Arts: Explore themes like materialism, psychology, and human behavior through literature.
• Commerce: Learn about the impact of financial choices and debt—relevant in economics and business.
• Science: Develop critical thinking and interpretation skills useful in ethical and social debates.

Career Inspirations from Themes:

• Psychologist (analyze character behavior like Mathilde’s)
• Journalist or Critic (analyze irony and society)
• Financial Advisor (advocate responsible financial planning)
• Writer/Novelist (explore human emotions and moral dilemmas)

Relevant Exams:

• CBSE Reading Challenge
• NTSE (Literary comprehension sections)
• English Olympiads (SOF/IEO)

XI. Important Notes

•  Stay updated through ncert.nic.in and cbseacademic.nic.in.
•  Practice value-based writing (e.g., what the story teaches about life decisions).
•  Develop your own reflections—what does this story teach you?