In Guy de Maupassant’s short story ‘The Necklace,’ the character of Madame Forestier can be considered a static character. A static character is one that does not undergo significant internal change throughout the narrative.
Madame Forestier serves as the friend of Mathilde Loisel, the protagonist, and while she plays a crucial role in the story, her character remains unchanged. From the beginning to the end, she is depicted as a wealthy and generous woman who lends Mathilde the necklace that ultimately leads to the latter’s downfall.
This unwavering nature of Madame Forestier contrasts sharply with Mathilde’s journey. Mathilde’s life is marked by transformation, as she moves from a place of longing and discontent to one of hardship and struggle. In the end, when Mathilde encounters Madame Forestier and reveals the truth about the lost necklace, Madame Forestier expresses surprise and compassion, but she herself has not changed; she remains a constant figure representing wealth and the superficial values of society.
Thus, Madame Forestier embodies the static character in ‘The Necklace,’ reinforcing the themes of envy and the consequences of materialism that affect Mathilde throughout the story.