and disappointments more numerous, John stillhad “some gleam of hope” that more were out there. Like Mathilde, John “was no longeryoung.” Thus the point where he has lost control of his career and his life in search ofthese strange objects. In one last conversation with Charles in regards to why Johnsacrificed his political career, it is obvious that neither one of them are discussing the samething. John is lost to reality, consumed by his desire for more objects. What had startedout as a profound glance into his own life, ended and now John is lost completely. UnlikeMathilde his intentions were not to be accepted into some elitist group, but to mind clarityand peace within his own. It can be inferred that John longed for such clarity in hischild-like actions as well as the objects he was obsessed with. He was puzzled by theseobjects and found it impossible to unlock the vast array of knowledge they beheld. Perhaps he was looking to deeply into these objects using his intellect as an adult ratherthan seeing them as a child would. Though many of John’s actions resemble that of achild his reality in the adult world is contradicted, thus making it difficult to see the objectsand the clear simple insight they provide. John is torn between the two worlds, but isdisillusioned as a result of his obsession.No doubt the authors provided much of this insight and enlightenment into theprotagonist’s lives through their personal writing styles as well as the symbolism withinthe objects. In Maupassant’s The Necklace, the protagonist becomes obsessed with richesthat could possibly open the door and let her into the elitist society she felt she had a placein. This belief of a life better than “middle class drudgery” (Short Stories pg. 168) shapesthe center of her personality. Maupassant creates Mathilde as a poor woman trapped in aworld beneath her, which is something very real that man...
