"Oriental hangings, lighted by tall, bronze troches" is all Mme. Loisel thinks about. She dreams all day about being in the high-class rank, living expensively. She yearns to use her talents if only she could have her chance. She finally does when she gets a chance to go to the Ministry of Education Ball. ''No... there's nothing more humiliating than to look poor among a lot of rich women," explains Mme. Loisel to her husband. Mme. Loisel wants to feel lavishly rich, like everyone else at the ball. With her husband's idea, she goes to her friend Mme. Forestier and borrows a diamond necklace. Having to borrow a necklace from a friend shows that Mme. Loisel wants to make people think she is wealthy. The way Mme. Loisel isn't happy with her life explains that she never thinks about having appreciation for what she has and what some people can never have.

At the party, Mme. Loisel is a huge success, the envy of all the women at the ball. After having a great time at the ball, Mme. Loisel discovers she has lost the necklace borrowed from Mme. Forestier. Loisel's dishonesty, her not telling Mrs. Forestier that she has lost her necklace, was her downfall. Mme. Loisel doesn't want her friend to have "taken her for a thief." Mme. cares more about what her friend will think of her rather than being honest. The point the author tries to make is that people should be honest. Being dishonest often brings more trouble than its worth. In Mme. Loisel's case, she did not want to tell her friend about losing the necklace for fear that her friend might betray her. Her consequence for not telling the truth was working for ten hard years. Thus, being honest at all times prevents problems in the future.