Assignment - Infographics - 088

Objective

Create a concept map in Canva that breaks down “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant - a short story studied in English classes in Karachi schools.

Read the Story First

Read or re-read “The Necklace” before starting. It follows Mathilde Loisel, a woman who borrows a diamond necklace for a party, loses it on the way home, and spends ten years working to replace it - only to discover at the end that the original was fake.

Instructions

Central Concept

Place “The Necklace - Guy de Maupassant” at the center.

Main Branches

• Characters:

  • Mathilde Loisel: dissatisfied with her modest life, desires status and luxury
  • Monsieur Loisel: kind and practical husband, devoted to Mathilde
  • Madame Forestier: wealthy friend who owns the necklace

• Plot (in sequence):

  • Mathilde borrows the necklace from Madame Forestier for a party
  • She loses the necklace that night
  • Rather than confessing, the couple borrows 36,000 francs to buy a replacement
  • Ten years of poverty and hard work to repay the debt
  • Mathilde learns the original was a fake worth only 500 francs

• Themes:

  • Vanity and the desire for social status
  • The cost of hiding the truth instead of admitting a mistake
  • Irony: a whole life changed by a worthless object

• Setting: Paris, late 19th century - a society where appearances and class mattered greatly

• Moral Lesson: Honesty and contentment avoid greater suffering; appearances can deceive.

Design in Canva

• Central node with four or five branches.
• For the plot branch, use a numbered sequence or mini-timeline.
• For themes, use thought-bubble shapes.

Required Elements

• All three main characters with a brief description.
• Plot summary in correct sequence.
• At least two themes with a short explanation.
• Moral lesson clearly stated.
• Title: “The Necklace - Guy de Maupassant.”