Maharashtra Board Class 9 English Unit One Chapter 1.5 The Necklace PDF Download

1.5 The Necklace

Warming Up!

Talking About Myself

Write a few lines about yourself - your name, appearance, family, the place where you live, your school, your friends, neighbours, relatives, your likes, dislikes, hobbies, what you are good at, etc.

Now create an imaginary 'persona' for yourself. It can be quite different from your real self. Or, you may choose a fictional character - a character from a novel, story, etc. Write a few lines about this imaginary persona and introduce yourself in that role.

Real Self - Hi, I am ........................................................................................

Imaginary Persona - Hi, I am ........................................................................................

My Dream Possession

Is there something that you would like to own more than anything else? Describe your dream possession with the help of the following points. You may add your own points, too.

What it is? What you would do to get it. Why you want it so much. How you would use it. What you would use it for. Where you saw it first. Its use. Its appearance - colour, shape, size, etc. Whether you would share it with others.

Teacher's Note

This activity helps students think about their wishes. It teaches them to describe things clearly in English.

Exam Trick

Remember to use adjectives to describe your dream possession. Words like big, beautiful, shiny, expensive help you get better marks.

Points to Remember

Always describe what something looks like.

Say why you want it in your life.

Tell how you will use it.

Use simple adjectives and easy words.

The Necklace

Part I

Mathilde was a pretty and charming girl, born, as if by an error of fate, into a family of clerks. She had no means of becoming known, understood, loved or be wedded to an aristocrat; and so she let herself be married to a minor official at the Ministry of Education.

She dressed plainly, because she had never been able to afford anything better. She suffered endlessly, feeling she was entitled to all the luxuries of life. She suffered because of her shabby, poorly furnished house. All these things, that another woman of her class would not even have noticed, tormented her and made her resentful. She dreamed of a grand, palatial mansion, with vast rooms and inviting smaller rooms, perfumed for afternoon chats with close friends.

Yet, she had no rich dresses, no jewels, nothing; and these were the only things she loved. She wanted so much to charm, to be envied, to be sought after.

She had a rich friend, a former schoolmate at the convent, whom she avoided visiting, because afterwards she would weep with regret, despair and misery.

One evening her husband came home with an air of triumph, holding a large envelope in his hand. "Look," he said, "here's something for you."

She tore open the paper and drew out a card, on which was printed the words: "The Minister of Education and Mme. Georges Rampouneau request the pleasure of M. and Mme. Loisel's company at the Ministry, on the evening of Monday, January 18th."

Instead of being delighted, as her husband had hoped, she threw the invitation on the table resentfully, and muttered, "What do you want me to do with that? And what do you expect me to wear if I go?"

He hadn't thought of that. He stammered, "Why, the dress you go to the theatre in. It seems very nice to me ..."

He stopped, stunned, distressed to see his wife crying. He stuttered, "What's the matter? Let's see, Mathilde. How much would a suitable dress cost?"

She thought for a moment, computing the cost, and also wondering what amount she could ask for without an immediate refusal. At last she answered hesitantly, "I don't know exactly, but I think I could do it with four hundred francs."

He turned a little pale, because he had been saving that exact amount to buy a gun for a hunting summer, in the country near Nanterre, with a few friends. However, he said, "Very well, I can give you four hundred francs. But try and get a really beautiful dress."

The day of the party drew near, and Madame Loisel seemed sad, restless, anxious, though her dress was ready.

One evening her husband said to her, "What's the matter? You've been acting strange these last three days."

She replied: "I'm upset that I have no jewels, not a single stone to wear. I would rather not go to the party."

"You could wear flowers," he said, "They are very fashionable at this time of year."

She was not convinced.

The next day she went to her friend's house and told her of her distress.

Madame Forestier went to her mirrored wardrobe, took out a large box, brought it back, opened it, and said to Madame Loisel: "Choose, my dear."

First Mathilde saw some bracelets, then a pearl necklace. She tried on the jewellery in the mirror. She kept asking, "You have nothing else?"

Teacher's Note

This story teaches students about being happy with what they have. Mathilde is sad because she wants things she cannot afford. In India, many students have different lives but they should be happy with their own lives.

Exam Trick

Remember: Mathilde = sad girl. She wants a necklace because she is not happy. This is important for the story. The necklace is the main thing in this story.

Points to Remember

Mathilde was born into a poor family but wanted rich things.

She got an invitation to a fancy party at the Ministry.

She wanted a new dress and jewels to look beautiful.

She asked her friend Madame Forestier to lend her a necklace.

The necklace was very beautiful and made Mathilde happy.

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