-
Mathilde was born, "as if by accident".
Mathilde was born into an "average" middle-class family, but believes she is entitled to a glamorous life. -
Mathilde gets married
She's married to a minor clerk, and feels like it was her only option. She spends most days dreaming of a more luxurious life and grieving over her unexciting life. -
Mathilde's Husband receives an invitation to the Minister of Education Ball
Although she is happy to go to a fancy ball, she almost immediately gets upset because she has no dress to wear. Her husband then gives her 400 francs to buy a new dress for the occasion. -
Mathilde borrows jewels from her good friend, Mme. Forestier.
As the night of the party gets near, Mathilde Loisel finds another thing to get upset about: no jewelry to compliment her dress. Her husband suggests borrowing some from Mme. Forestier, and she finds a beautiful diamond necklace to borrow. -
The Minister of Education Ball
Mathilde is finally living out her dream of being wealthy, at least for a night. She is desired by all the men and having the best time of her life. -
4 a.m. in the morning, leaving the ball.
Mathilde hurriedly left the party, scared someone may see her in her ragged wrap. When she gets home, she discovers the necklace is gone. -
The Day After The Ball
Mathilde spends the day traumatized over the fact the necklace is gone. Meanwhile, her husband searches all over Paris to find the necklace. -
M. Loisel and Mathilde go out to buy a new necklace
After finding a necklace look alike, they spend all their money on it and take out loans to buy it. -
Mathilde runs into Mme. Forestier
After spending the last ten years living a poor woman's life , Mathilde sees Mme. Forestier with her new child. She goes up to Mme. Forestier, introduces herself, and eventually tells her about losing the necklace. Mme. Forestier is shocked, and tells Mathilde that the original necklace was only paste.