Lakhasly

Themes:

1- The Deceptiveness of Appearances:

The reality of Mathilde's situation is that she is neither wealthy

nor part of the social class of which she feels she is a deserving

member, but Mathilde does everything in her power to make her life

appear different from how it is. She lives in an illusory world where her

actual life does not match the ideal life she has in her head-she

believes that her beauty and charm make her worthy of greater things.The fact that it comes from Madame Forestier's jewelry box gives it the illusion of richness and value; had Monsieur Loisel suggested that Mathilde wear fake jewels, she surely would have scoffed at the idea, just as she scoffed at his suggestion to wear flowers.Furthermore, the fact that Madame Forestier-in Mathilde's view, the epitome of class and wealth-has a

-89-necklace made of fake jewels suggests that even the wealthiest members of society pretend to have more wealth than they actually have.Her wealth and class are simply illusions, and other people are

easily deceived.

Themes:

1- The Deceptiveness of Appearances:

The reality of Mathilde's situation is that she is neither wealthy

nor part of the social class of which she feels she is a deserving

member, but Mathilde does everything in her power to make her life

appear different from how it is. She lives in an illusory world where her

actual life does not match the ideal life she has in her head-she

believes that her beauty and charm make her worthy of greater things.

The party is a triumph because for the first time, her appearance

matches the reality of her life. She is prettier than the other women,

sought after by the men, and generally admired and flattered by all.

Her life, in the few short hours of the party, is as she feels it should be.

However, beneath this rightness and seeming match of appearances

and reality is the truth that her appearance took a great deal of

scheming and work. The bliss of her evening was not achieved without

angst, and the reality of her appearance is much different than it

seems. Her wealth and class are simply illusions, and other people are

easily deceived.

The deceptiveness of appearances is highlighted by Madame Forestier's necklace, which appears to be made of diamonds but is actually nothing more than costume jewelry. The fact that it comes from Madame Forestier's jewelry box gives it the illusion of richness and value; had Monsieur Loisel suggested that Mathilde wear fake jewels, she surely would have scoffed at the idea, just as she scoffed at his suggestion to wear flowers. Furthermore, the fact that Madame Forestier-in Mathilde's view, the epitome of class and wealth-has a

-89-necklace made of fake jewels suggests that even the wealthiest members of society pretend to have more wealth than they actually have. Both women are ultimately deceived by appearances: Madame Forestier does not tell Mathilde that the diamonds are fake, and Mathilde does not tell Madame Forestier that she has replaced the necklace. The fact that the necklace changes- unnoticed-from worthless to precious suggests that true value is ultimately dependent on perception and that appearances can easily deceive.