Question

What would have happened to Matilda had she confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?

Hint:

Honesty, especially in difficult situations, can often prevent bigger problems. Matilda’s choice to hide the truth ultimately caused her far more trouble than if she had simply confessed.

Answer 1

Had Matilda confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace, several things could have happened. First, Matilda might have been able to avoid the long years of hardship and deception that followed. Her friend, Madame Forestier, might have shown understanding and sympathy, possibly offering a solution to the situation. If Matilda had confessed, she could have borrowed the money to replace the necklace without going through the terrible ordeal of replacing it on her own, which led to financial ruin.
However, Matilda's decision to hide the truth led to a different outcome, one that ultimately changed her life. By not confessing and keeping the secret, she and her husband spent the next ten years in poverty, paying off the debt they incurred by replacing the necklace. Had she been honest, she may have been able to prevent the extreme consequences she faced.
Matilda’s failure to confess to her friend highlights the theme of pride and dishonesty in the story. It serves as a reminder of how one’s decisions, driven by fear or embarrassment, can lead to unintended consequences.