In Guy de Maupassant’s famous short story ‘The Necklace,’ the main characters are Madame Mathilde Loisel, her husband Monsieur Loisel, and Madame Forestier.
Madame Mathilde Loisel is the protagonist of the story, a beautiful woman who is dissatisfied with her middle-class life. She dreams of wealth and luxury, feeling that she was meant for a more glamorous existence. This yearning for a more extravagant lifestyle sets the stage for the story’s events.
Monsieur Loisel, Mathilde’s husband, is a kind and supportive man who works as a clerk. He is content with their modest life and often sacrifices his desires to make Mathilde happy, including surprising her with an invitation to a high-society ball.
Madame Forestier is a wealthy friend of Mathilde’s who plays a crucial role in the plot. She lends Mathilde a beautiful necklace to wear to the ball, which ultimately leads to the central conflict of the story when Mathilde loses the piece of jewelry.
Together, these characters drive the narrative and illustrate themes of vanity, pride, and the stark contrast between reality and ambition.