Complete Solutions and Summary of The Necklace - NCERT Class 10, Footprints without Feet, Chapter 7 - Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions...

Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 7 'The Necklace' with all question answers, extra questions, and solutions from NCERT Class X, Footprints without Feet.

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Introduction

'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant is a classic story of irony and misplaced values. It tells the story of Matilda Loisel, a woman who dreams of wealth and luxury but is dissatisfied with her modest life. When she borrows a diamond necklace to attend a grand ball, she loses it and spends the next ten years repaying a debt for the replacement, only to discover that the original necklace was fake. The story highlights the dangers of vanity, pride, and the consequences of dishonesty.

Summary in English (200 words):

'The Necklace' follows the life of Matilda Loisel, a woman dissatisfied with her middle-class life. She dreams of luxury and borrows a diamond necklace from her friend, Mme Forestier, to wear to a high-society event. After the event, Matilda realizes that she has lost the necklace. Rather than admitting her mistake, she and her husband replace it with a similar, expensive necklace. They spend ten years paying off their debts, only to learn that the original necklace was a fake, worth much less than the replacement. The story highlights the irony of Matilda’s life and the consequences of dishonesty and vanity.

Summary in Hindi (200 words):

'The Necklace' गाइ दे मॉपासां द्वारा लिखी गई एक कहानी है जो मतील्दा लॉइसल के जीवन पर केंद्रित है, जो अपने साधारण जीवन से असंतुष्ट है। वह धन और विलासिता का सपना देखती है और एक महंगे पार्टी के लिए अपनी मित्र मदाम फॉरेस्टियर से हीरे का हार उधार लेती है। पार्टी के बाद उसे पता चलता है कि उसने हार खो दिया है। अपनी गलती को स्वीकार करने के बजाय, वह और उसके पति हार को बदलने के लिए एक नया, महंगा हार खरीदते हैं। वे अगले दस साल उस कर्ज को चुकाने में बिताते हैं, और अंत में उन्हें पता चलता है कि जो हार उन्होंने खो दिया था वह नकली था, जिसकी कीमत बहुत कम थी। यह कहानी मतील्दा के जीवन की विडंबना और ईमानदारी की कमी के परिणामों को दर्शाती है।

Think about it - Page 46

1. The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
The Loisels’ life changed drastically after Matilda lost the necklace. To replace the necklace, they had to borrow money, which led them into severe debt. They spent the next ten years living in poverty, working hard to repay the money. Their comfortable life turned into a struggle due to one moment of carelessness and Matilda’s desire to appear wealthier than she was. The necklace, a symbol of luxury, ultimately caused their downfall and changed the course of their lives completely.
2. What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
The cause of Matilda’s ruin was her vanity and desire for a lifestyle beyond her means. She wanted to appear wealthy at the ball and borrowed a necklace without knowing its true value. Instead of confessing the loss of the necklace, she and her husband replaced it with an expensive one, leading to years of financial hardship. Matilda could have avoided her downfall by being honest with her friend Mme Forestier about losing the necklace. If she had told the truth, she would have learned that the necklace was a fake, and her life would not have been ruined.
3. What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?
If Matilda had confessed to her friend about losing the necklace, her friend would have revealed that the necklace was fake and not worth much. This simple act of honesty would have saved Matilda and her husband from the immense financial burden and hardship they endured for ten years. Instead of ruining their lives to repay the debt, they could have resolved the issue easily and without significant cost.
4. If you were caught in a situation like this, how would you have dealt with it?
If I were caught in a situation like Matilda’s, I would have been honest with my friend from the beginning. Admitting the mistake immediately would have been the right thing to do, as honesty often leads to better outcomes than trying to cover up a problem. This way, I could have avoided unnecessary complications and found a solution without causing more damage.

Talk about it - Page 46

1. 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?
Although the story is written in English, it is set in France, and the characters would likely be speaking French, not English. Clues such as the names “Matilda,” “Loisel,” and “Mme Forestier” indicate a French setting. Additionally, the cultural references, like the French ball and Parisian society, suggest that the characters’ native language is French.
2. Honesty is the best policy.
The story illustrates the truth of this statement. If Matilda had been honest about losing the necklace, she could have avoided years of hardship. Instead, her dishonesty led to unnecessary suffering. Being honest not only helps in resolving problems quickly but also prevents larger issues from developing, as seen in this story.
3. We should be content with what life gives us.
Matilda’s dissatisfaction with her life led to her downfall. Instead of appreciating what she had, she longed for wealth and luxury, which resulted in her borrowing the necklace and eventually losing it. The lesson here is that contentment with what life offers can bring peace and happiness, while constantly striving for more can lead to unforeseen problems and unhappiness.

About the Author

Guy de Maupassant was a famous French writer known for his short stories that often depict the harsh realities of life, with ironic twists. His work, including 'The Necklace', is recognized for its concise storytelling and insightful social commentary. Maupassant’s stories often explore themes of class, ambition, and human folly.