How does the setting in "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant influence the story, characters, and events?

Peter Lantaigne, M.A.

"" bytakes place in Paris at the end of the nineteenth century. The short
story depicts the financial ruin of the Loisel family because of a lost necklace.

In , the setting always provides important clues about literary elements like
characters, plot, and theme. In a short story, setting is even more important, because it is
crucial for the reader to use all of the information available to make inferences as quickly as
possible.

Authors use time and place to create setting. "The
Necklace" takes place at the end of the 1800s. In France, this was a period of prosperity,
peace, and high fashion. Consumerism was on the rise, and even people of modest means aspired to
join in the trends.

The characters live in Paris, the "City of
Light" and capital of France. The Champs-‰lys©es lies seemingly just outside their door.
It is no wonder that Mathilde Loisel, even though her husband is only an education clerk, is
desperate to wear beautiful jewelry. She lives in...

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