Final answer:
The use of irony in 'The Necklace' emphasizes the story's themes of appearance versus reality and the consequences of misplaced vanity, with the final ironic twist delivering a poignant message about the danger of material obsession.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of irony in 'The Necklace' significantly contributes to the development of the story's theme, which revolves around the deceptions of appearances and the consequences of entitlement and dissatisfaction. The protagonist, Mathilde, borrows a necklace to appear wealthier than she is, only to lose it and spend years toiling to replace it. The final twist of irony comes when Mathilde discovers that the original necklace was a fake, highlighting the futility of her vanity and pretense. This ironic revelation underscores the story's message about the dangers of valuing surface over substance and the empty pursuit of social status.
Throughout the narrative, Guy de Maupassant employs irony as a tool to build reader engagement and emphasize the thematic elements of the story. By contrasting Mathilde's expectations with her reality, and the eventual outcome with the reader's anticipation, Maupassant effectively encapsulates the harsh moral lesson of his tale.