The theme of pride is important and complex in Guy de Maupassant's story "The Necklace". The story revolves around the protagonist, Mathilde Loisel, consumed by her pride and desire for material wealth. Her relentless pursuit of social status ultimately leads to her downfall. Throughout the story, the theme of pride is depicted through Mathilde's actions, decisions, and consequences that she faces due to her proud nature. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Mathilde's pride is evident from the beginning of the story as she desires a life of luxury and grandeur. She is dissatisfied with her middle-class lifestyle and constantly wants more. He is ashamed of his modest home and feels envious of his richer peers. Her pride leads her to reject her current circumstances and dream of a life beyond her possibilities. This attitude is evident in her refusal to attend a ball at the Ministry of Education because she does not have a proper dress to wear. Her pride prevents her from accepting reality and pushes her to make irrational decisions. When Mathilde's husband, Monsieur Loisel, brings home an invitation to the ball, she is ecstatic at the thought of attending such a prestigious event. However, her joy soon turns to despair when she realizes that she has no suitable dress to wear. Her pride prevents her from borrowing jewelry from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, and instead she insists on buying a new dress. This decision ultimately leads to their financial ruin. Mathilde's pride blinds her to the consequences of her actions and causes her to make irrational and reckless choices. Mathilde's pride is further emphasized by her refusal to tell Madame Forestier the truth about the loss of her necklace. Instead of admitting her mistake and asking for forgiveness, she and her husband decide to replace the necklace without revealing the truth. This decision lands them in debt and poverty for the next ten years. Mathilde's pride prevents her from taking responsibility for her actions and forces her to live a life of difficulty and struggle. The theme of pride is also evident in Mathilde's attitude towards her husband. She is dismissive of his efforts to make her happy and constantly compares him to other men who can provide their wives with luxury goods. Mathilde's pride causes her to neglect her husband's love and devotion and, instead, desire a life that is beyond their means. This attitude ultimately leads to their financial ruin and forces Monsieur Loisel to work tirelessly to repay the debt incurred by Mathilde's proud actions. The consequences of Mathilde's pride are evident throughout the story as she and her husband suffer the repercussions of her reckless decisions. Their pride leads to their financial ruin, forcing them to live a life of poverty and hardship. The irony of the story is that Mathilde's long-desired necklace turns out to be a fake, highlighting the superficiality of her desires and the consequences of her proud nature. Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, the theme of pride in “The Necklace” is a central and complex element of the story. Mathilde's tireless pursuit of social status and material wealth ultimately leads to her downfall. Her pride blinds her to the consequences of her actions and pushes her to make irrational and reckless decisions. The story works.