Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 7 Question Answer | The Necklace
Welcome to HSLC Guru. In this article, we provide a complete set of questions and answers for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 7 – The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant. This chapter is an important part of the ASSEB (Assam State Board of Secondary Education) Class 10 English syllabus. Here you will find the summary, textbook solutions (Think about it and Talk about it), additional short and long answer questions, MCQs, extract-based questions, character sketches, and value-based questions to help you prepare thoroughly for your HSLC examination.
Summary of The Necklace
“The Necklace” is a famous short story written by the French author Guy de Maupassant. The story revolves around Matilda Loisel (Mme Loisel), a young and pretty woman who is born into a family of clerks. Although she is charming and beautiful, she is deeply unhappy because she feels she deserves a life of luxury, wealth, and elegance. She is married to M. Loisel, a petty clerk in the Ministry of Education, who is a simple and contented man.
One day, her husband brings home an invitation to a grand party hosted by the Minister of Public Instruction. Instead of being delighted, Matilda is distressed because she has no fine dress or jewellery to wear. Her husband lovingly gives her four hundred francs that he had been saving to buy a gun for himself so that she can purchase a new dress. However, Matilda is still unhappy because she has no jewels. Her husband then suggests that she borrow some jewellery from her wealthy friend, Mme Forestier. Matilda visits her friend and borrows a stunning diamond necklace.
At the ball, Matilda is a great success. She is the prettiest woman present, elegant, gracious, and full of joy. Every man notices her and wants to dance with her. She dances with great enthusiasm, intoxicated by pleasure and admiration. However, when the couple returns home in the early hours of the morning, Matilda discovers to her horror that the necklace is missing.
The couple searches desperately. M. Loisel retraces their steps, goes to the police, contacts the cab offices, and even puts out an advertisement in the newspapers offering a reward. But the necklace is not found. To buy themselves time, they write to Mme Forestier that the clasp of the necklace is broken and needs repair. Eventually, they find an identical necklace in a shop at the Palais Royal costing thirty-six thousand francs. M. Loisel uses his entire inheritance of eighteen thousand francs and borrows the rest from moneylenders at ruinous interest rates. They buy the replacement and return it to Mme Forestier, who does not notice the substitution.
To repay their enormous debt, the Loisels are forced to give up their comfortable life entirely. They dismiss their maid, move into a tiny attic room, and Matilda does all the heavy housework herself – cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, scrubbing floors, carrying water, and haggling with the grocer and the butcher to save every sou. Her husband works in the evenings doing accounts for a tradesman, and at night he often copies manuscripts. This gruelling life continues for ten long years until every debt is repaid.
By the end of those ten years, Matilda has become a strong, hard, and coarse woman. Her beauty has faded completely, and she looks old and worn. One Sunday, while walking along the Champs Elysees, she sees Mme Forestier, who is still young, still beautiful, and still attractive. Matilda decides to speak to her and reveals the entire truth about the necklace. Mme Forestier is deeply moved and reveals the shocking truth: “Oh, my poor Matilda! Mine were false. They were not worth over five hundred francs!”
The story ends with this powerful twist, revealing that the Loisels had ruined ten years of their lives to replace a necklace that was virtually worthless. The story is a profound commentary on the dangers of vanity, pride, materialism, and dishonesty.
Think about it (Textbook Questions and Answers)
Q1. The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Ans: The loss of the necklace completely transformed the Loisels’ life. It took them ten long years to repay the money they had borrowed to buy the replacement necklace. During these years, everything changed for them. They had to give up their rented flat and move to the poorest quarters of the city. They dismissed their maid, and Matilda had to do all the heavy household work herself – she had to cook, clean, mend, wash, scrub floors, carry water, and bargain with the grocer and the butcher to save every single sou. Her husband had to work in the evenings doing accounts and at night copying manuscripts at five sous a page. This terrible life of poverty, hardship, and back-breaking labour continued for ten years. By the end, Matilda had become a strong, hard, rough woman. Her beauty had faded, her hair was unkempt, her hands were red, and she looked old and haggard. The irony is that all this suffering was caused by a necklace that turned out to be a fake worth merely five hundred francs.
Q2. What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
Ans: Matilda’s ruin was caused by her pride, vanity, and materialistic aspirations, coupled with her dishonesty. She was a beautiful woman but was never satisfied with what she had. She constantly dreamed of a luxurious life that was beyond her means. Her desire to appear wealthy and glamorous at the ball led her to borrow the necklace in the first place. When she lost it, her fear and pride prevented her from confessing the truth to Mme Forestier. Instead, she chose to replace it secretly, leading to ten years of crushing poverty. She could have avoided this ruin by being content with what she had and by being honest with her friend about losing the necklace. If she had simply told the truth, she would have discovered that the necklace was a fake worth only five hundred francs, and her life would never have been ruined.
Q3. What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?
Ans: If Matilda had been honest and courageous enough to confess to her friend Mme Forestier that she had lost her necklace, the entire tragedy would have been avoided. Mme Forestier would have told her that the necklace was not made of real diamonds but was a piece of artificial jewellery worth not more than five hundred francs. Matilda would not have needed to spend her husband’s entire inheritance of eighteen thousand francs or borrow the remaining eighteen thousand francs at ruinous interest rates. She and her husband would have been spared ten long years of crushing poverty, misery, and back-breaking labour. Her beauty would not have been destroyed, and her husband would not have had to work day and night to pay off debts. Truth and honesty would have saved Matilda from her doom.
Q4. If you were caught in a situation like this, how would you have dealt with it?
Ans: If I were caught in a situation like this, I would have been honest from the very beginning. I would have immediately gone to Mme Forestier and confessed that I had lost her necklace. I would have apologised sincerely and offered to pay for the lost necklace. Being truthful and honest is always the best approach in any situation, even if it is difficult at first. Lies and deception may seem like easier solutions in the short term, but they always lead to greater problems in the long run. Matilda’s story teaches us that one moment of courage and honesty can save us from years of unnecessary suffering. I would rather face temporary embarrassment than endure ten years of hardship caused by concealing the truth.
Talk about it (Textbook Questions and Answers)
Q1. The characters in this story speak in English. Do you think this is their language? What clues are there in the story about the language its characters must be speaking in?
Ans: No, English is not the language that the characters actually speak. The story was originally written in French by the French author Guy de Maupassant, and what we read is an English translation. There are several clues in the story that indicate the characters speak French. Firstly, the character names are French – Mme Loisel, M. Loisel, Mme Forestier. Secondly, the currency mentioned in the story is the French “franc” and “sou.” Thirdly, the locations mentioned are all in Paris, France – the Palais Royal, the Champs Elysees, the Ministry of Public Instruction. Fourthly, the use of French titles like “Mme” (Madame) and “M.” (Monsieur) further confirms that the characters are French and would naturally speak French.
Q2. Honesty is the best policy.
Ans: The story of “The Necklace” powerfully illustrates the proverb “Honesty is the best policy.” Matilda and her husband suffered ten years of terrible poverty, hardship, and misery simply because they were not honest with Mme Forestier about losing the necklace. If Matilda had mustered the courage to tell her friend the truth, she would have learned that the necklace was a fake worth only five hundred francs. Dishonesty may seem attractive and convenient in the short term, but it always leads to suffering and despair in the long run. On the other hand, honesty, though it may be painful or embarrassing at first, saves us from much greater pain later. This story teaches us that being truthful and straightforward is the only path to a life of contentment, peace, and genuine happiness.
Q3. We should be content with what life gives us.
Ans: Matilda’s story is a perfect example of what happens when a person is not content with what life gives them. Matilda had a loving husband, a comfortable home, and a decent life, but she was always unhappy because she dreamed of luxuries that were beyond her reach. Her dissatisfaction with her life led her to borrow the necklace, which in turn led to the catastrophe that ruined her life for ten years. The story teaches us that we should learn to live within our means and be content with what we have. While it is perfectly fine to strive to improve one’s condition through honest means, one must not let dissatisfaction and greed drive them to dishonesty and recklessness. True happiness comes not from possessing material riches but from appreciating and being grateful for what one already has.
Read and Find Out (Textbook Questions and Answers)
Q1. What kind of a person is Mme Loisel – why is she always unhappy?
Ans: Mme Loisel is a young, pretty, but deeply discontented woman. She comes from a family of clerks and is married to a petty clerk, but she believes she was born to enjoy a life of luxury, elegance, and refinement. She dreams of grand halls with Oriental tapestries, fine furniture, delicious meals, and sparkling silverware. She is always unhappy because her modest means cannot satisfy her expensive tastes and desires. The sight of her shabby walls, worn-out chairs, and ugly curtains torments her. She suffers endlessly, feeling that she deserves so much more than what life has given her.
Q2. What kind of a person is her husband?
Ans: M. Loisel is an ordinary, simple, and kind-hearted man. He works as a petty clerk in the Ministry of Education and is perfectly content with his job and his life. Unlike his wife, he does not dream of luxuries. He is a loving and caring husband who always tries to make his wife happy. He is excited when he brings the party invitation home, he willingly gives up his savings of four hundred francs so she can buy a dress, and he suggests she borrow jewellery from Mme Forestier. After the necklace is lost, he works tirelessly – in the evenings and at night – for ten long years without complaint to repay the debt. He is a selfless and devoted husband.
Q3. What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?
Ans: After her husband gives her four hundred francs to buy a new dress, a fresh problem disturbs Mme Loisel. She realises that she has no jewellery to wear with her elegant new gown. She feels that without jewels, she will look poor and out of place among the wealthy women at the party. This thought distresses her so much that she tells her husband it would be better not to attend the ball at all, as she would feel humiliated appearing “shabby” in the company of rich women.
Q4. How is the problem solved?
Ans: M. Loisel first suggests that Matilda wear natural flowers as ornaments, but she rejects this idea. Then he comes up with a brilliant suggestion – he asks her to go to her wealthy friend, Mme Forestier, and borrow some jewellery from her. Matilda visits Mme Forestier, who kindly opens her jewel case and asks Matilda to choose whatever she likes. Matilda discovers a superb diamond necklace in a black satin case and is overjoyed. Mme Forestier generously lends it to her. Thus, the problem is solved.
Q5. What do M. and Mme Loisel do next?
Ans: After discovering that the necklace is lost, the Loisels make frantic efforts to find it. M. Loisel goes out immediately and retraces the entire route they had taken from the ball. He goes to the police and to the cab offices. He puts out an advertisement in the newspapers offering a reward to anyone who finds the necklace. They also write to Mme Forestier saying that the clasp of the necklace is broken and it needs repair, buying themselves time. Despite all these efforts, the necklace is not found.
Q6. How do they replace the necklace?
Ans: After all their efforts to find the necklace fail, the Loisels decide to replace it. They search the shops and find a necklace of diamonds that appears to be exactly like the one that was lost. The price is thirty-six thousand francs. M. Loisel uses his entire inheritance of eighteen thousand francs and borrows the remaining eighteen thousand from various moneylenders, making ruinous promises and dealing with usurers. They buy the new necklace and return it to Mme Forestier, who accepts it without opening the case and without noticing any difference.
Additional Short Answer Questions (30-40 words)
Q1. Why was Matilda not satisfied with her life?
Ans: Matilda was not satisfied because she believed she was born for all delicacies and luxuries. She was pretty and charming but was married to a petty clerk, and their modest means could not fulfil her expensive dreams and desires.
Q2. What did Matilda’s husband bring home one evening?
Ans: One evening, M. Loisel brought home an invitation to a grand party at the residence of the Minister of Public Instruction. He expected his wife to be thrilled, but she was upset because she had nothing suitable to wear.
Q3. Why did Matilda throw the invitation spitefully on the table?
Ans: Matilda threw the invitation on the table because she had no fine dress or jewellery to wear to such a grand event. The thought of appearing poor and shabby among wealthy women made her angry and frustrated rather than happy.
Q4. What had M. Loisel been saving four hundred francs for?
Ans: M. Loisel had been saving four hundred francs to buy himself a gun for shooting larks on the plains of Nanterre during the summer with some friends. He willingly sacrificed this dream so that his wife could buy a new dress for the ball.
Q5. Why was Matilda hesitant to visit Mme Forestier?
Ans: Matilda was hesitant to visit Mme Forestier because Mme Forestier was very wealthy, and every visit made Matilda feel miserable. She would return home feeling resentful and envious, suffering from her own inferiority and the contrast between their lives.
Q6. What did Matilda choose from Mme Forestier’s jewel collection?
Ans: Matilda discovered a superb diamond necklace in a black satin case among Mme Forestier’s jewels. Her heart beat with desire when she saw it. She chose this necklace, and Mme Forestier generously lent it to her for the party.
Q7. How was Matilda at the party?
Ans: Matilda was a great success at the party. She was the prettiest woman present – elegant, gracious, smiling, and full of joy. All the men noticed her, asked her name, and wanted to dance with her. She was intoxicated with pleasure and admiration.
Q8. Why did the Loisels leave the party in a hurry?
Ans: The Loisels left the party at about four o’clock in the morning. Matilda’s husband had been half-asleep in a small room with three other gentlemen. They left in a hurry because Matilda wanted to escape before other women noticed her modest wraps, which she was ashamed of.
Q9. When did Matilda notice that the necklace was missing?
Ans: Matilda noticed that the necklace was missing when they reached home after the ball. She went to the mirror to take a final look at herself in all her glory, but she could not find the necklace around her neck. She uttered a cry of shock and horror.
Q10. What steps did M. Loisel take to find the lost necklace?
Ans: M. Loisel went out immediately and retraced the entire route they had taken on foot. He searched along the streets but found nothing. Then he went to the police and reported the loss. He visited the cab offices and put out an advertisement in the newspapers offering a reward.
Q11. What excuse did the Loisels give Mme Forestier for not returning the necklace on time?
Ans: The Loisels wrote a letter to Mme Forestier telling her that the clasp of the necklace had broken and they were getting it repaired. This excuse bought them time while they searched for the lost necklace and eventually arranged for its replacement.
Q12. How much did the replacement necklace cost?
Ans: The replacement necklace cost thirty-six thousand francs. M. Loisel used his entire inheritance of eighteen thousand francs that his father had left him and borrowed the remaining eighteen thousand from various moneylenders at very high interest rates.
Q13. What changes came in Matilda’s lifestyle after the necklace was replaced?
Ans: Matilda’s entire lifestyle changed dramatically. She dismissed her maid and moved to a small attic room. She did all the heavy household work herself – cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, scrubbing floors, haggling with shopkeepers, and carrying water upstairs. She became a rough, hard-working woman of a poor household.
Q14. How did M. Loisel contribute to repaying the debt?
Ans: M. Loisel worked extremely hard to repay the debt. Besides his regular job, he worked in the evenings doing accounts for a tradesman. At night, he often sat up copying manuscripts at the rate of five sous per page. This exhausting routine continued for ten years.
Q15. What was the physical transformation of Matilda after ten years?
Ans: After ten years of hard labour and poverty, Matilda had completely transformed. She had become a strong, hard, and rough woman of a poor household. Her hair was unkempt, her skirts were worn, and her hands were red. She looked old, haggard, and worn out. She was no longer the pretty, charming woman she had once been.
Q16. Why did Mme Forestier not recognise Matilda when they met on the Champs Elysees?
Ans: Mme Forestier did not recognise Matilda because ten years of terrible poverty and hard labour had completely destroyed her beauty. Matilda looked old, worn out, and haggard with red hands and unkempt hair. She had changed so drastically that her once-close friend could not believe it was the same person.
Q17. What was Mme Forestier’s reaction when she learnt the truth about the necklace?
Ans: Mme Forestier was deeply moved and shocked when she learnt the truth. She took both of Matilda’s hands in hers and said, “Oh! My poor Matilda! Mine were false. They were not worth over five hundred francs!” She felt great sympathy for her friend’s unnecessary suffering.
Q18. What is the irony at the end of the story?
Ans: The supreme irony of the story is that the Loisels spent thirty-six thousand francs and endured ten years of poverty and misery to replace a necklace that was actually fake and worth only five hundred francs. Their entire suffering was unnecessary, and all of it could have been avoided if Matilda had simply been honest about losing the necklace.
Long Answer Questions (100-120 words)
Q1. “Matilda’s pride and vanity led to her ruin.” Discuss this statement with reference to the story “The Necklace.”
Ans: Matilda Loisel was a beautiful young woman, but her greatest flaws were her excessive pride, vanity, and desire for material luxuries. Although she was born into a family of clerks and married to a petty clerk, she believed she deserved a life of luxury, elegance, and wealth. She was never content with what she had and always dreamed of things beyond her reach. It was this vanity that drove her to borrow the diamond necklace from Mme Forestier so that she could appear glamorous at the ball. When she lost the necklace, her pride and fear of humiliation prevented her from telling Mme Forestier the truth. Instead, she chose to replace it secretly, plunging herself and her husband into ten years of crushing poverty and back-breaking labour. Her hands became rough, her beauty faded, and she became an old, worn-out woman. The final twist of the story reveals that the necklace was a fake worth only five hundred francs. All of Matilda’s suffering was the direct result of her pride and vanity. If she had been humble, honest, and content with her simple life, she would never have faced such ruin.
Q2. How did the necklace change the course of the Loisels’ life? Describe the ten years of hardship they endured.
Ans: The loss of the necklace completely changed the course of the Loisels’ life. Before the ball, they lived a modest but comfortable life with a maid, a decent flat, and enough to eat. After they borrowed thirty-six thousand francs to buy the replacement necklace, everything changed. They gave up their flat and rented a small attic room under the roof. They dismissed their maid entirely. Matilda now had to do all the heavy household work herself. She did the cooking, cleaned the house, washed the dishes, scrubbed the dirty floors, took out the garbage, and carried water up the stairs. She went to the grocer, the butcher, and the fruiterer with a basket on her arm, bargaining and fighting for every sou. Her husband worked all day at his job and in the evenings did accounts for a tradesman. At night, he copied manuscripts at five sous a page. This terrible life of poverty and toil continued for ten long years. By the end, Matilda was no longer beautiful. She had become a coarse, rough, hard woman with red hands, unkempt hair, and a worn-out appearance. The couple had paid back every penny but at the cost of their youth, health, and happiness. The supreme irony is that the original necklace was a fake worth only five hundred francs.
Q3. “Honesty is the best policy.” Discuss this proverb in the context of the story “The Necklace.”
Ans: The story of “The Necklace” is a powerful illustration of the proverb “Honesty is the best policy.” When Matilda lost the borrowed necklace, she and her husband decided to replace it secretly rather than confess the truth to Mme Forestier. This decision, driven by fear and pride, set in motion a chain of devastating consequences. They spent thirty-six thousand francs to buy a replacement diamond necklace and spent ten years in grinding poverty to repay the debt. Matilda’s beauty was destroyed, her youth was wasted, and her husband’s life was consumed by overwork. However, when Matilda finally told the truth ten years later, she learned that the original necklace was merely an imitation worth only five hundred francs. If she had been honest from the start, her friend would have told her the truth about the necklace, and the entire tragedy could have been avoided. The story shows us that dishonesty, even when motivated by good intentions, always leads to greater suffering. Honesty may seem difficult or embarrassing in the moment, but it always saves us from much worse consequences in the long run. Matilda’s story is a reminder that truth and courage are always the wisest choices.
Q4. Describe the character of M. Loisel. How did he prove to be a devoted husband?
Ans: M. Loisel is one of the most selfless and devoted characters in the story. He is a simple, ordinary clerk in the Ministry of Education who is perfectly content with his modest life. Unlike his wife, he does not dream of luxuries or wealth. His love for his wife is evident throughout the story. When Matilda is unhappy about having no dress for the ball, he gives her four hundred francs that he had been saving to buy a gun for himself. When she worries about lacking jewellery, he suggests borrowing from Mme Forestier. After the necklace is lost, he goes out immediately and searches everywhere – retracing their steps, going to the police, contacting cab companies, and advertising in newspapers. When they cannot find it, he uses his entire inheritance and borrows the rest to buy a replacement. During the ten years of repayment, he works at his regular job during the day, does accounts in the evening, and copies manuscripts at night. He never complains, never blames his wife, and never gives up. His selfless sacrifice and unwavering devotion to his wife make him one of the most admirable characters in the story.
Q5. What is the role of Mme Forestier in the story? How does her final revelation create the climax?
Ans: Mme Forestier plays a crucial role in the story even though she appears only a few times. She is Matilda’s wealthy and generous friend who lends her the diamond necklace for the ball without any hesitation. She represents the world of wealth and elegance that Matilda desperately desires. When Matilda returns the replacement necklace, Mme Forestier accepts it without even opening the case, suggesting her trusting and unsuspecting nature. The most significant moment involving Mme Forestier is the climax of the story. When Matilda meets her on the Champs Elysees after ten years, Mme Forestier does not recognise her because Matilda has aged so terribly. When Matilda reveals the whole story, Mme Forestier’s response creates the shocking twist: “Oh, my poor Matilda! Mine were false. They were not worth over five hundred francs!” This single revelation exposes the tragic irony of the entire story – that the Loisels had suffered for ten years to replace a worthless necklace. Mme Forestier’s words bring the story to its devastating conclusion and drive home the themes of honesty, vanity, and the deceptive nature of appearances.
Q6. “Appearances are deceptive.” Discuss this theme with reference to “The Necklace.”
Ans: The theme of “appearances are deceptive” runs throughout “The Necklace.” The most obvious example is the necklace itself. It appeared to be a magnificent piece of diamond jewellery, but in reality, it was a fake worth only five hundred francs. Matilda was deceived by its appearance, and this deception cost her ten years of her life. Similarly, Matilda herself was an example of deceptive appearances. At the ball, she appeared to be a wealthy, glamorous, and elegant woman, but in reality, she was the wife of a petty clerk wearing a borrowed necklace and a dress bought with her husband’s sacrificed savings. The wealthy women at the party who saw her did not know her real circumstances. Even Matilda’s life after the loss of the necklace represents this theme – on the outside, she appeared to be an ordinary poor woman doing household chores, but inside she carried the secret of the necklace and the enormous debt. The story teaches us that we should never judge things by their outward appearance and that the pursuit of outward glamour and show can lead to terrible consequences.
Q7. What would have happened if Matilda had not lost the necklace? Would she have been happy?
Ans: If Matilda had not lost the necklace, she would have returned it safely to Mme Forestier and gone back to her normal life. However, it is unlikely that she would have been truly happy. Matilda’s fundamental problem was not the necklace or the debt – it was her dissatisfaction with her life and her constant desire for luxuries beyond her means. Before the ball, she was already deeply unhappy despite having a loving husband, a comfortable home, and enough to live on. The success at the ball would have only fuelled her desire for more such glamorous events and more luxurious possessions. She would have continued to feel tormented by her shabby surroundings and envious of wealthy women like Mme Forestier. The one night of glory would have made her daily life seem even more unbearable. Without a change in her attitude and values, Matilda would never have found true happiness regardless of whether she lost the necklace or not. The story suggests that contentment comes from within, not from external possessions or social status.
Q8. Narrate the story of “The Necklace” in your own words, highlighting the key events and the twist at the end.
Ans: “The Necklace” tells the story of Matilda Loisel, a pretty but discontented woman married to a simple clerk. She constantly dreams of a life of luxury that she cannot afford. One day, her husband brings an invitation to a grand ball hosted by the Minister of Public Instruction. Matilda is distressed because she has no suitable dress or jewellery. Her husband gives her four hundred francs for a dress and suggests she borrow jewellery from her wealthy friend, Mme Forestier. Matilda borrows a beautiful diamond necklace and is a great success at the ball. However, upon returning home, she discovers that the necklace is lost. After a desperate but unsuccessful search, the couple buys a replacement necklace for thirty-six thousand francs, using the husband’s inheritance and borrowing the rest. They return it to Mme Forestier without telling her the truth. To repay the massive debt, they give up their comfortable life, dismiss their maid, and move to a small attic room. Matilda does all the heavy housework while her husband works day and night. This terrible life continues for ten years, by which time Matilda has lost her beauty entirely. One day, she meets Mme Forestier on the Champs Elysees and reveals the entire truth. Mme Forestier is shocked and reveals the devastating twist – the original necklace was fake and worth only five hundred francs. The story ends with this powerful revelation, leaving the reader to reflect on the tragic consequences of vanity, pride, and dishonesty.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who is the author of “The Necklace”?
(a) Robert W. Peterson
(b) Sinclair Lewis
(c) K.A. Abbas
(d) Guy de Maupassant
Ans: (d) Guy de Maupassant
Q2. Matilda was born into a family of:
(a) officers
(b) ministers
(c) clerks
(d) shopkeepers
Ans: (c) clerks
Q3. Whom was Matilda married to?
(a) a minister
(b) a petty clerk
(c) an officer
(d) a businessman
Ans: (b) a petty clerk
Q4. What tortured and angered Matilda?
(a) shabby walls
(b) worn chairs
(c) ugly curtains
(d) all of these
Ans: (d) all of these
Q5. What had M. Loisel saved four hundred francs to buy?
(a) a bicycle
(b) a gun
(c) a television
(d) a shirt
Ans: (b) a gun
Q6. How did M. Loisel expect his wife to react on receiving the invitation?
(a) sad
(b) angry
(c) happy
(d) jealous
Ans: (c) happy
Q7. Why did Matilda throw the invitation on the table?
(a) she had nothing to wear
(b) she had no jewellery
(c) she did not want to go
(d) both (a) and (b)
Ans: (d) both (a) and (b)
Q8. What solution did M. Loisel suggest for the jewellery problem?
(a) buy expensive jewellery
(b) wear natural flowers
(c) borrow from Mme Forestier
(d) skip the party
Ans: (b) wear natural flowers
Q9. What did Matilda borrow from Mme Forestier?
(a) a bracelet
(b) a Venetian cross
(c) a diamond necklace
(d) a gold ring
Ans: (c) a diamond necklace
Q10. How did Matilda look at the ball?
(a) elegant
(b) gracious
(c) full of joy
(d) all of these
Ans: (d) all of these
Q11. When did Matilda discover that the necklace was missing?
(a) at the ball
(b) in the cab
(c) after reaching home
(d) the next morning
Ans: (c) after reaching home
Q12. What excuse did the Loisels give Mme Forestier for the delay in returning the necklace?
(a) they had gone on a trip
(b) the clasp was broken and needed repair
(c) Matilda was ill
(d) none of the above
Ans: (b) the clasp was broken and needed repair
Q13. How much did the replacement necklace cost?
(a) eighteen thousand francs
(b) five hundred francs
(c) thirty-six thousand francs
(d) forty thousand francs
Ans: (c) thirty-six thousand francs
Q14. How long did it take the Loisels to repay their debt?
(a) five years
(b) eight years
(c) ten years
(d) twelve years
Ans: (c) ten years
Q15. What was the actual worth of the original necklace?
(a) thirty-six thousand francs
(b) ten thousand francs
(c) one thousand francs
(d) five hundred francs
Ans: (d) five hundred francs
Extract-Based Questions
Extract 1
“She suffered from the poverty of her apartment, the shabby walls and the worn chairs. All these things tortured and angered her.”
Q1. Who is ‘she’ in this extract?
Ans: ‘She’ refers to Matilda Loisel (Mme Loisel), the main character of the story.
Q2. Why did these things torture and anger her?
Ans: These things tortured and angered her because she believed she was born for a life of luxury and elegance. She felt that her shabby apartment and worn furniture were far below what she deserved, and the contrast between her dreams and reality made her deeply unhappy.
Q3. What does this passage reveal about Matilda’s character?
Ans: This passage reveals that Matilda is a vain, materialistic, and discontented woman. She is not able to accept her modest circumstances and constantly feels she deserves better, which makes her perpetually unhappy and frustrated.
Q4. What word in the extract means ’caused great suffering’?
Ans: The word “tortured” means ’caused great suffering.’
Extract 2
“She was one of those pretty, young ladies, born as if through an error of destiny, into a family of clerks.”
Q1. Who is being described here?
Ans: Matilda Loisel, the protagonist of the story “The Necklace,” is being described here.
Q2. What does ‘an error of destiny’ mean in this context?
Ans: “An error of destiny” means that Matilda felt she was born into the wrong family by a mistake of fate. She believed she deserved to be born into a wealthy and aristocratic family rather than a family of clerks.
Q3. What kind of life did she dream of?
Ans: She dreamed of a life of luxury, elegance, and wealth – grand halls with Oriental tapestries, fine furniture, delicious meals served on exquisite silverware, and the admiration and attention of distinguished men.
Q4. What is the literary device used in ‘an error of destiny’?
Ans: The literary device used is a metaphor. It compares her birth into a poor family to a mistake made by fate, suggesting that she was meant for a better life.
Extract 3
“She danced with enthusiasm, intoxicated with pleasure, thinking of nothing, in the triumph of her beauty, in the glory of her success.”
Q1. Where is ‘she’ at this point in the story?
Ans: She is at the grand ball hosted by the Minister of Public Instruction. This is the party for which she borrowed the necklace from Mme Forestier.
Q2. Why was she “intoxicated with pleasure”?
Ans: She was intoxicated with pleasure because she was the centre of attention at the ball. She was the prettiest woman present, all the men were looking at her, asking her name, and wanting to dance with her. She was overwhelmed by the admiration and attention she had always craved.
Q3. What happened after the ball that changed her life forever?
Ans: After the ball, when she reached home, she discovered that the diamond necklace she had borrowed from Mme Forestier was missing. This discovery led to the replacement of the necklace and ten years of poverty and hardship.
Q4. What does the word “intoxicated” mean here?
Ans: Here, “intoxicated” means extremely excited and overwhelmed. She was so thrilled by the admiration and success at the ball that she was almost in a state of ecstasy, completely lost in the moment.
Extract 4
“Oh, my poor Matilda! Mine were false. They were not worth over five hundred francs!”
Q1. Who speaks these words and to whom?
Ans: Mme Forestier speaks these words to Matilda Loisel when they meet on the Champs Elysees after ten years.
Q2. What does ‘mine’ refer to?
Ans: ‘Mine’ refers to the diamond necklace that Matilda had borrowed from Mme Forestier for the ball. Mme Forestier reveals that the necklace was not made of real diamonds but was an imitation piece of jewellery.
Q3. What is the significance of this revelation?
Ans: This revelation is the climax and the most significant moment of the story. It exposes the supreme irony that the Loisels had spent thirty-six thousand francs and endured ten years of poverty and hard labour to replace a necklace that was actually a fake worth only five hundred francs. Their entire suffering was needless.
Q4. What literary device is used in this ending?
Ans: The literary device used is situational irony. The reader and the characters expect the necklace to be extremely valuable, but the truth is the opposite – it is nearly worthless. This ironic twist gives the story its powerful impact and moral message.
Extract 5
“Mme Loisel now knew the horrible life of necessity. She did her part, however, completely, heroically.”
Q1. What is the “horrible life of necessity” referred to here?
Ans: The “horrible life of necessity” refers to the ten years of extreme poverty and hardship that the Loisels endured after borrowing money to replace the lost necklace. They had to live in a tiny attic room and do all the heavy work themselves.
Q2. How did she do her part “completely, heroically”?
Ans: Matilda performed all the household chores herself without complaint. She cooked, cleaned, washed dishes, scrubbed floors, took out the garbage, carried water, and bargained with shopkeepers. She accepted her hard life and worked tirelessly to help repay the debt, showing strength and determination.
Q3. What change does this passage show in Matilda’s character?
Ans: This passage shows a significant transformation in Matilda’s character. The woman who was once too proud and vain to accept her modest life now accepts the hardest kind of work without complaint. She has gone from being a dreamy, discontented woman to a strong, hard-working woman who faces reality with courage.
Q4. What does the word “heroically” suggest about Matilda?
Ans: The word “heroically” suggests that despite her earlier vanity, Matilda showed great courage and strength in facing the consequences of her actions. She did not give up or collapse under the burden of poverty. Instead, she worked bravely and tirelessly to repay the debt, displaying a heroic spirit.
Character Sketches
Character Sketch of Matilda Loisel (Mme Loisel)
Matilda Loisel is the central character of “The Necklace.” She is a young, pretty, and charming woman born into a family of clerks and married to a petty clerk, M. Loisel. Despite her beauty and charm, she is one of the most discontented characters in literature. She believes she was born for a life of luxury and elegance, and the modest reality of her existence torments her constantly. She dreams of grand halls, fine furniture, exquisite silverware, and the admiration of wealthy men.
Matilda’s key character traits are vanity, pride, and materialism. She is not content with what she has and always craves what is beyond her reach. Her dissatisfaction is so deep that even a loving husband and a comfortable home cannot make her happy. It is her vanity that drives her to borrow the diamond necklace so she can appear glamorous at the ball.
However, Matilda’s character also has a positive side that emerges during the years of hardship. When she and her husband are forced into poverty to repay the debt, she accepts the situation “completely, heroically.” She does all the heavy housework, bargains with shopkeepers, and works tirelessly without complaining. This shows that she has inner strength, determination, and a sense of responsibility. She does not run away from the consequences of her actions.
Matilda’s greatest flaw is her dishonesty. If she had simply told Mme Forestier the truth about losing the necklace, the entire tragedy could have been avoided. Her fear of humiliation and her pride prevented her from being honest, and this cost her ten years of her life. Matilda’s character is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity, materialism, and dishonesty, but also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Character Sketch of M. Loisel
M. Loisel is Matilda’s husband and one of the most selfless characters in the story. He is a petty clerk in the Ministry of Education – an ordinary, simple, and humble man who is perfectly content with his modest life. Unlike his wife, he does not dream of luxuries or wealth. He is happy with simple pleasures like a good pot-au-feu (a traditional French stew) for dinner.
M. Loisel’s most admirable quality is his deep love and devotion to his wife. He goes to great lengths to make Matilda happy. He uses his connections to get the ball invitation, sacrifices his savings of four hundred francs so she can buy a dress, and suggests she borrow jewellery from Mme Forestier. When the necklace is lost, he immediately takes charge – searching the streets, going to the police, contacting cab companies, and advertising in newspapers.
His most remarkable quality is his selflessness and sacrifice. To buy the replacement necklace, he uses his entire inheritance and borrows money at ruinous rates. For ten years, he works at three jobs without ever complaining or blaming his wife for the disaster. He is a man of quiet dignity, patience, and endurance. He never seeks recognition for his sacrifices and never makes his wife feel guilty.
M. Loisel represents the ideal of a devoted and loving husband. His character stands in sharp contrast to Matilda’s vanity and materialism, reminding us that true richness lies not in material possessions but in qualities like love, loyalty, and selflessness.
Character Sketch of Mme Forestier
Mme Forestier is Matilda’s wealthy friend who plays a crucial but brief role in the story. She is a rich, elegant, and generous woman. When Matilda visits her to borrow jewellery, Mme Forestier opens her jewel case without hesitation and tells Matilda to choose whatever she likes. This shows her generosity and warm-heartedness.
Mme Forestier is also a trusting and unsuspecting person. When Matilda returns the replacement necklace, she accepts it without even opening the case, showing that she has complete trust in her friend. She does not suspect any deception.
The most significant aspect of Mme Forestier’s character is revealed in the climax when she meets Matilda after ten years. She is deeply moved when she learns the truth and exclaims, “Oh, my poor Matilda!” This shows her compassion and sympathy. Her revelation that the necklace was fake is the most important moment in the story. Mme Forestier represents the world of wealth and ease that Matilda envied, but ironically, even her wealth included fake jewellery – reinforcing the theme that appearances can be deceptive.
Value-Based Questions
Q1. “Vanity and materialism often lead to one’s downfall.” How does “The Necklace” illustrate this statement? What values should we learn from Matilda’s story?
Ans: “The Necklace” is a powerful illustration of how vanity and materialism can destroy a person’s life. Matilda Loisel was a beautiful woman who had a loving husband and a decent life, but she was never satisfied because she constantly craved luxury, wealth, and social admiration. Her vanity drove her to borrow the diamond necklace so she could appear glamorous at the ball, and when she lost it, her materialistic attitude prevented her from confessing the truth. Instead, she chose to replace the necklace secretly, which led to ten years of crushing poverty and hardship.
The values we should learn from Matilda’s story are numerous. First, we should practise contentment – being grateful for what we have rather than constantly desiring what we do not have. Second, we should value honesty above pride – telling the truth, even when it is difficult, is always better than living with the consequences of deception. Third, we should understand that true happiness comes from love, relationships, and inner peace, not from material possessions or social status. Matilda had a loving husband who was willing to sacrifice everything for her, yet she could not appreciate this blessing because she was blinded by her desire for luxury. The story teaches us that vanity is a dangerous quality that can rob us of our happiness and well-being.
Q2. M. Loisel sacrificed everything for his wife without complaint. What values does his character teach us about relationships and love?
Ans: M. Loisel is a shining example of selfless love, devotion, and sacrifice in a relationship. When his wife needed a dress, he gave up his own savings without hesitation. When the necklace was lost, he did not blame or scold her. Instead, he immediately took responsibility and did everything in his power to solve the problem. He used his entire inheritance, borrowed money, and then worked day and night for ten years to repay the debt, all without ever complaining or making his wife feel guilty.
His character teaches us several valuable lessons about relationships and love. First, true love is selfless – it means putting the happiness and well-being of your partner above your own desires. M. Loisel gave up his dream of buying a gun, his inheritance, and his comfort, all for his wife. Second, love means standing by your partner in difficult times, not just in good times. M. Loisel did not abandon his wife when things went wrong; he stood by her and shared her burden equally. Third, actions speak louder than words – M. Loisel did not just say he loved his wife, he proved it through years of quiet sacrifice and hard work. His character reminds us that the greatest expression of love is not grand gestures or expensive gifts, but the daily willingness to sacrifice for the one you love.
Q3. “We should accept the consequences of our actions with courage.” How does this value apply to the characters in “The Necklace”?
Ans: The story of “The Necklace” presents a complex picture of how different characters deal with the consequences of their actions. When Matilda lost the necklace, she and her husband chose to replace it rather than confess the truth. While this decision was driven by fear and dishonesty, what happened next shows a different kind of courage. Both Matilda and M. Loisel accepted the terrible consequences of their decision with remarkable bravery. They did not run away from their debt or try to evade it. Instead, they gave up their comfortable life and worked tirelessly for ten years to repay every penny. Matilda, who had once been too proud to do housework, now did the most gruelling tasks “completely, heroically.” M. Loisel worked three jobs without complaining.
This teaches us that while it is always best to be honest and make wise decisions, if we do make mistakes, we should accept the consequences with courage and dignity rather than trying to escape them. At the same time, the story also teaches us that the best way to avoid terrible consequences is to be honest from the beginning. If Matilda had accepted the consequence of losing the necklace – the embarrassment of confessing to her friend – she would have avoided ten years of suffering. The story reminds us that small acts of courage (like telling the truth) can save us from much greater difficulties later.
We hope these questions and answers for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 7 “The Necklace” have helped you in your preparation for the HSLC examination. For more study materials and question answers for other chapters, visit hslcguru.com.