The Necklace: The Lost Chapter The term butterfly effect means that a small change in one setting can have a larger impact somewhere else. On one Sunday afternoon, Madame Loisel went for a walk in the Champs Elysees to clear her thoughts after a long week of work. She was simply thinking how long ten years of paying debts distracted her from the possibility of children. Once the thought of children came to mind, “she suddenly perceived a woman who was leading a child. It was Madame Forestier, still young, still beautiful, and still charming (Maupassant 10).” How astonishing that Mathilde was thinking how differently her life would have been if she had not lost the necklace and had the chance to raise a child and there her eyes were led to Madame Forestier and her child. Mathilde decided she had nothing else to lose, so she decided to walk up to Madame Forestier to simply say hello. “Good-day, Jeanne (Maupassant 10).” Jeanne did not recognize Mathilde because Mathilde had aged greatly and looked worn like an old leather wallet about to fall apart. Mathilde explained to her good friend that it was because of her she had great poverty.
Jeanne confused and almost offended asked: “I’m sorry; I don’t seem to understand how I am the cause of your hardship? The last time we saw each other everything seemed fine!” Mathilde then relayed the memory of returning the diamond necklace but that it was a substitute necklace. She told Jeanne she lost the original necklace at the ball and had to pay thirty-six thousand francs and that was the reason why she took so long to return it to her ten years ago. And ten years ago today, she was finally able to breathe. But Madame Forestier is speechless for the moment. “Mathilde, you silly woman! My necklace was simply vintage costume jewelry! Honestly, it was only worth about five hundred francs!” Mathilde dropped to her