The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
...subsequently tells Loisel the lost necklace was only glass, and hence, virtually of no value. At first glance, one may call this story a tragedy. I question this definition. In tragedy, the author traditionally tends to empathize with his characters. Maupassant is blatantly cruel towards his main character, placing The Necklace more in the realm of horror. Perhaps it's more social criticism than anything. The most important conflict in this story is between Madame Loise and herself, as she is violently uncomfortable with who she is. Her desire to change herself is the direct cause for her fall from grace. There is also a conflict between Madame and a society that will not accept her, though it's not so much of a conflict as it is a submission as she has taken on the ideals of the upper class and made them her own. Conflict between Madame and Monsieur Loise ends with Madame forcing her husband to live below his level of social comfort, making him feel just as she has felt all along. Monsieur has no choice but to accept the sad fate a wife who does not love him has bestowed upon him, j...