Question

What were the reasons for Matilda’s unhappiness?

Hint:

Whenever asked about a character’s unhappiness, focus on both external conditions (like poverty) and internal reasons (like dissatisfaction, desires, or comparisons).

Answer 1

Matilda Loisel, the main character in Guy de Maupassant’s story "The Necklace", was unhappy because of her dissatisfaction with her social and financial status.
Step 1: Desire for Luxury.
Matilda felt that she was born for wealth, beauty, and luxury. However, she was married to a simple clerk who could only provide her with a modest life. This mismatch between her dreams and reality caused her constant unhappiness.
Step 2: Dissatisfaction with Everyday Life.
She disliked the small apartment where she lived and was unhappy with the ordinary clothes and household items she owned. She always longed for elegant dresses, jewels, and grand parties.
Step 3: Envy of the Wealthy.
Matilda often compared herself with rich women who enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle. This comparison made her feel deprived, bitter, and resentful about her own condition.
Step 4: Emotional Outcome.
Her dissatisfaction and ungratefulness blinded her from appreciating the love and care of her husband, leading to deep frustration and unhappiness.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Therefore, Matilda’s unhappiness stemmed from her constant yearning for wealth, jewels, and luxury, and her inability to accept and be content with her modest life.