Analysis of "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant
"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant can be analyzed through the lens of psychoanalysis, a
theory developed by Sigmund Freud that explores the subconscious motivations and desires
that influence human behavior. In this analysis, we'll dive into the characters' psychological
dynamics, particularly focusing on Madame Loisel's psyche.
1. **Id, Ego, and Superego**:
- **Id**: The id represents the primitive, instinctual drives and desires. Madame Loisel's
desire for wealth, luxury, and social status can be attributed to her id. She yearns for a life of
opulence and constantly fantasizes about material possessions beyond her means.
- **Ego**: The ego mediates between the id's desires, the superego's morals, and reality.
Madame Loisel's ego struggles to reconcile her desire for wealth with the reality of her
middle-class existence. She engages in fantasies to escape her discontent but ultimately faces
the consequences of her actions.
- **Superego**: The superego represents societal and moral constraints internalized by an
individual. Madame Loisel's superego is influenced by societal expectations of wealth and
status. She feels inadequate compared to her wealthier peers and is driven by a deep-seated
desire to gain their acceptance and admiration.
2. **Defense Mechanisms**:
- **Fantasy**: Madame Loisel indulges in fantasies of wealth and luxury as a way to escape
the dissatisfaction of her reality. She constructs elaborate daydreams where she envisions
herself as a member of the upper class, attending glamorous parties and receiving adoration
from others.
- **Denial**: Initially, Madame Loisel denies the reality of her lower social status, refusing to
accept her modest lifestyle. She rejects invitations to socialize with her peers, believing herself
to be above their station.
**Mirroring**:
- Mirroring refers to the psychological process where individuals internalize aspects of others,
often those they admire or desire to be like. In "The Necklace," Madame Loisel mirrors the
perceived wealth and status of her wealthier peers. She constantly compares herself to them,
feeling inadequate and envious of their lifestyle. This mirroring fuels her desire for material
possessions and social acceptance, leading her to borrow the necklace to emulate the opulence
she admires.
**Repression**:
- Repression involves pushing uncomfortable thoughts, desires, or memories into the
unconscious mind. Madame Loisel represses her dissatisfaction with her middle-class existence
and her resentment towards her husband for not providing her with the luxuries she desires.
Instead of confronting these feelings, she suppresses them, maintaining a facade of
contentment while secretly yearning for a life of wealth and glamor.
**Projection**:
- Projection occurs when individuals attribute their own undesirable thoughts, feelings, or traits
to others. Madame Loisel projects her own insecurities onto her husband, blaming him for their
lack of wealth and social status. She sees him as the obstacle preventing her from achieving the
life she desires, even though he tries his best to make her happy within their means. Her
projection allows her to avoid confronting her own role in their dissatisfaction.
**Sublimation**:
- Sublimation involves channeling one's impulses or desires into socially acceptable outlets. In
"The Necklace," Madame Loisel initially sublimates her desire for wealth and status through
daydreams and fantasies. However, when presented with the opportunity to attend the ball and
borrow the necklace, she engages in a form of sublimation by temporarily fulfilling her desire for
luxury within the confines of societal norms. However, this ultimately leads to disastrous
consequences when the necklace is lost, highlighting the dangers of unchecked impulses.
In summary, the psychoanalytic analysis of "The Necklace" through the concepts of mirroring,
repression, projection, and sublimation reveals the complex interplay between Madame Loisel's
subconscious desires and her conscious actions. Her attempts to emulate the perceived wealth
of others, suppress her dissatisfaction, blame others for her shortcomings, and find socially
acceptable outlets for her desires ultimately lead to her downfall, demonstrating the powerful
influence of the subconscious mind on human behavior.
