Situational Irony in The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant

Activity Overview

One of the most common literary terms taught is irony. In the short story "The Necklace", irony is the main focus of the work. It is not until the very last line when Mme. Loisel finds out that the necklace is fake does the reader learn the intent of the story. Mme. Loisel goes into debt for ten years, just to replace a necklace that, in the end, was almost worthless.

Example of "The Necklace" Situational Irony

Situational Irony is when actions or events have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, or where the outcome is contrary to expectations.
The plot of "The Necklace" has situational irony because after replacing her friend's expensive-looking necklace, and working for ten years to pay off the debt, Mme. Loisel finds out it was fake!

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a storyboard depicting the types of irony used in "The Necklace."

Use the template provided by your teacher.
Identify the types of irony used.
Describe the definition of the type of irony.
Illustrate the set up, the dialogue, and the reveal of the irony using important quotes from the story.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-12

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Three Types of Irony

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/1] Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/5] Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise

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Rubric

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Types of Irony Rubric

	Excellent 25 Points	Proficient 21 Points	Emerging 17 Points	Try Again 13 Points
Three Types of Irony: Dramatic Verbal Situational	Student followed the task for this assignment. They included three different forms of irony, and correctly explained them.	Student has two forms of irony displayed and correctly explained.	Student only has two or three types displayed, but not correctly supported	Work attempts to show irony however, it's unclear or only presents one type.
Provides Irony Using Direct Quotes	The student has clearly provided the reader with three different examples of irony and they are clearly explained in an exemplary way.	Student clearly provided the reader with two examples of irony. However, the examples may not be exemplary.	Student has identified one or two weak example of irony.	Student has not identified irony in the story through use of direct quotations.
Understand the Effect of Irony Through explanation	Student has provided a clear example of the effect of all three types of irony and explained in great detail.	Student has provided explanations of the effect of the irony for two or three examples of irony in sufficient detail.	Student has attempted to provide an explanation of the effect of one or two example(s) of irony in limited detail.	Student did not provide any explanations of irony from the reading.
Overall Presentation: Grammar Mechanics Correctness Appeal	Student has no errors and the work is commendable.	Student has very few errors. Good effort has been displayed.	Student has some mechanical issues; little effort is shown; somewhat appealing; partially incomplete.	Student has grammar, mechanic or correctness issues that prohibit the understanding of Irony; or incomplete; visually unappealing.