Like the necklace itself, Madame Loisel is "only paste," not genuine. Although she has attended the same school as Mme. Forestier, Mme Loisel does not have the polish of a lady. She rudely asks Mme. Forestier, "Haven't you something else?" when her friend graciously asks her to select whatever she wants from the jewelry presented her.
At the ball, she dances madly, "giving no thought to anything in ... the pride of her success..." Ignoring her husband, she revels in the elusive moment that is no more real than her necklace. Later, after having lost the necklace, she gives little thought to the sacrifices that her husband makes; Mme Loisel "played her part...with sudden heroism," too proud to apologize to her husband for her error. Finally, when her debt is paid and she has replaced the necklace, Mme Loisel blames her friend for the loss of her looks: "I've had ...misfortunes--and all on account of you." Even in the end Mme. Loisel fails to recognize what is of real worth and what is not. The irony of her proud and simple joy when she asks Mme Forestier "You never noticed [the difference in necklaces]?" cannot be missed by the reader.
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