The Necklace

Four hundred francs

Step 1: After Mathilde was upset about having nothing to wear, her husband asked how much a suitable dress would cost. Step 2: Mathilde thought carefully and said she could manage with four hundred francs. Step 3: This was actually the money Monsieur Loisel had saved to buy a gun for a shooting trip with friends. Step 4: He gave it up willingly so that Mathilde could buy a dress. Step 5: Thirty-six thousand francs is the amount spent on the replacement necklace later in the story.

Madame Forestier

Step 1: Even after getting the dress, Mathilde was upset because she had no jewellery to wear. Step 2: Monsieur Loisel suggested she visit her wealthy friend and borrow some jewels. Step 3: Madame Forestier was a former schoolmate from the convent who was rich. Step 4: She showed Mathilde her jewel box, and Mathilde chose a superb diamond necklace. Step 5: Madame Ramponneau was the wife of the Minister – she hosted the party but did not lend the necklace.

Mathilde lost it

Step 1: After the party, the Loisels returned home in the early hours of the morning. Step 2: When Mathilde removed her wrap before the mirror at home, she discovered the necklace was missing. Step 3: They searched everywhere – her skirt, cloak, pockets – but could not find it. Step 4: Neither of them had noted the cab number, so they could not trace it. Step 5: This loss becomes the central tragedy of the story and changes the Loisels' entire life.

That the clasp was broken and it was being mended

Step 1: After realising the necklace was lost, Monsieur Loisel devised a plan to avoid immediate trouble. Step 2: He instructed Mathilde to write a letter to Madame Forestier. Step 3: The letter stated that the clasp of the necklace had broken and it was being mended. Step 4: This lie gave them time to find or replace the necklace without Madame Forestier knowing the truth. Step 5: This shows how the Loisels chose dishonesty – a decision that cost them dearly.