Question

Before writing your response to the prompt below, you might participate in a collaborative conversation to gather ideas. During this conversation, practice the skill of building consensus. Consensus means "general agreement." During your conversation, you and your peers may disagree. In such cases, explore each student’s ideas and opinions and ask each student to provide evidence and reasoning in support of his or her claims. The group should listen fairly to all positions and try to come to a general agreement. After your conversation, take note of any disagreements and explain how the group built consensus.

LITERARY ANALYSIS: At the end of this short story, readers discover along with Madame Loisel that she has labored for ten years, lost her beauty, and declined into poverty to replace what was actually a fake diamond necklace. What does this ironic ending, as well as other plot details, suggest about the story’s themes? Write a thoughtful response supported by text evidence and original commentary.

1. What is the significance of Madame Loisel's obsession with material possessions?
2. How does Madame Loisel's perception of herself change throughout the story?
3. What role does societal pressure play in Madame Loisel's actions and decisions?

Answer 1

1. Madame Loisel's obsession with material possessions highlights the story's overarching theme, emphasizing the pitfalls of materialism and societal pressures.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Madame Loisel's relentless pursuit of material possessions serves as a poignant commentary on the consequences of prioritizing wealth and social status.

Her fixation on external appearances, represented by the fake diamond necklace, symbolizes the hollowness of materialism. The collaborative conversation likely involved exploring how Madame Loisel's materialistic desires reflect broader societal values, requiring the group to analyze textual evidence and reasoning to build consensus on the story's critique of material pursuits.

The group may have delved into the societal expectations placed upon Madame Loisel, noting instances where these pressures influenced her decisions. The nuanced discussion would have considered how the story portrays the impact of societal norms on individual lives, potentially drawing parallels with real-world scenarios.

In achieving consensus, the group would have agreed on the interconnected themes of materialism and societal pressure, supported by a comprehensive analysis of Madame Loisel's character development and the story's broader implications.