Mathilde Loisel was a beautiful middle-class woman who is dissatisfied with her life and dreams of a wealthy life. One day, her loving husband, M. Loisel, came home with an invitation to a ball hosted by the Minister of Education.
Gleiten: 2
CONFLICT
Mathilde was unhappy as she has no dress to wear so M. Loisel gave Mathilde 400 francs so she could buy a dress but she was still not satisfied for she has no jewels to go with the dress so M. Loisel suggested that Mathilde borrow from her rich friend, Mme. Forestier.
Gleiten: 3
RISING ACTION
Mathilde followed her husband's suggestion and borrowed a beautiful diamond necklace from Mme. Forestier and wore it to the ball. Everyone loved her and Mathilde had the best time of her life at the ball.
Gleiten: 4
CLIMAX
But when they went home, she was horrified to find out that the necklace was gone. Since they couldn't find it, they decided to replace it with a new diamond necklace and ended up in a huge debt leaving them almost homeless.
Gleiten: 5
FALLING ACTION
Mathilde and M. Loisel had to move out from their apartment and work hard for ten years until they finally paid off all their debts. But by that time, Mathilde was unrecognizable for she had lost her charm and beauty.
Gleiten: 6
RESOLUTION
After ten years, Mathilde encounters Mme. Forestier with a child but Mme. Forestier barely recognize her. Mathilde then went on to tell Mme. Forestier what happened to them for the past ten years because of the necklace. Horrified, Mme. Forestier reveals that the lost necklace was fake and not worth more than 500 francs.