The Diamond Necklace Summary: Chapter 7, The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant, is part of the Class 10 English syllabus under the Footprints Without Feet book. The story revolves around Matilda, a woman who loses a borrowed necklace and spends years repaying the debt, only to discover it was fake.
The Necklace class 10 summary highlights themes of vanity, pride, and the consequences of dishonesty. According to the CBSE 10 exam pattern, questions may focus on character traits, plot twists, and moral lessons. Understanding this story helps students improve their critical thinking and prepare effectively for literature-based questions in the board exams.
Guy de Maupassant (1850–1893) was a prolific French author, celebrated as a master of the short story, with over 300 tales, six novels like Bel-Ami, and works marked by sharp irony, realism, and surprise endings. Born near Dieppe, Normandy, he gained fame through mentor Gustave Flaubert's influence and his 1880 debut "Boule de Suif," inspired by the Franco-Prussian War. Despite early success, syphilis led to his mental decline and death at 42, leaving a legacy of incisive social critique.
The Necklace is a short story by Guy de Maupassant, a famous 19th-century French author known for his realistic stories. The story is about a young woman named Matilda Loisel who lives a simple life with her clerk husband. Although her husband is loving and content, Matilda is unhappy with her modest lifestyle. She dreams of being rich, wearing beautiful clothes, and owning expensive jewelry.
One day, her husband brings home an invitation to a grand party. Instead of being excited, Matilda becomes upset because she doesn’t have a suitable dress. To help her, her husband gives her 400 francs he had saved to buy a rifle, and she purchases a lovely dress. Later, she also worries about not having jewelry. Her husband suggests borrowing a necklace from her rich friend, Mme Forestier. Matilda borrows a dazzling diamond necklace and feels confident at the party, where everyone admires her.
After returning home, Matilda realizes she has lost the necklace. The couple searches everywhere but can't find it. With no other choice, they bought a replacement that cost 36,000 francs. They borrow money and use all their savings. To pay the debt, they lived in poverty for ten years. Matilda does all the housework, and her husband works hard day and night.
One day, Matilda sees Mme Forestier and tells her the whole truth. Shocked, Mme
The Necklace teaches a powerful lesson about the dangers of vanity, pride, and the desire to impress others. Matilda Loisel’s longing for a luxurious life leads her to borrow a necklace that she eventually loses, pushing her and her husband into years of hardship.
The twist at the end, revealing the necklace was fake, highlights the importance of honesty and being content with what one has. It also shows how a single moment of dishonesty can change the course of one’s life. This story reminds readers to value inner qualities over appearances and be truthful, as trying to maintain false impressions can lead to unnecessary suffering and regret.
Below, we have provided the CBSE Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 7 – The Necklace Summary PDF for students' quick and easy reference. This summary is written in simple language to help students understand the chapter better and prepare effectively for their exams.
It follows the CBSE syllabus and exam pattern, making it useful for last-minute revision. Students can download the PDF to revise key points, themes, and the moral of the story anytime, anywhere.