Matilda's husband, Monsieur Loisel, was a small clerk in the office of the Board of Education, an ordinary and simple-hearted man who was contented with his modest profession.
Monsieur Loisel's Professional and Personal Conduct
Monsieur Loisel's character and actions are pivotal to understanding the events that unfold around Matilda in "The Necklace." His life was marked by simplicity and a pragmatic acceptance of his circumstances.
- His Profession: Monsieur Loisel was employed as a small clerk within the Board of Education. This position, while not prestigious, provided a stable income that sustained their household. He showed no signs of ambition beyond his current role, being quite contented with his job.
- His Character: He is portrayed as an ordinary and simple-hearted young man. This disposition made him generally satisfied with their humble life, which often stood in stark contrast to his wife Matilda's aspirations for wealth and social standing.
- A Catalytic Action: A key action he undertook was bringing home, with considerable excitement, a dinner invitation to a grand party. This seemingly kind gesture, intended to bring joy to his wife, inadvertently initiated the series of unfortunate events that form the core of the story, as it led to Matilda's desire for an expensive dress and a borrowed necklace.
His actions, particularly the presentation of the party invitation, serve as the primary catalyst for the narrative's central conflict, underscoring his well-meaning but ultimately consequential efforts to please his wife. To understand the full context of their story, you can explore the original text of Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace".
