File:Strict Imitation from the Start of the Necklace.doc

Short Stories Unit Strict Imitation from the Necklace story

Strict Imitation from the Start of the Necklace

He was one of those smart and witty boys born, as though fate had blundered over him, into a family of thugs. He had no support, no means of getting known, understood, supported and accepted by a university of prestige and distinction; and he let himself be taken off to a boring job in a supermarket. His accomplishments were simple because he had never been able to achieve any other, but he was unhappy as though he had finished beneath him; for students have no rank or category, their talent, smarts, and gifts serve them from birth or origin, their natural knowledge, their instinctive answers, their nimbleness of assignments, are their only mark of rank, and put the slum boy on a level with the highest genius of the land.

She was one of those pretty and charming girls born, as though fate had blundered over her, into a family of artisans. She had no dowry, no expectations, no means of getting known, understood, loved, and wedded by a man of wealth and distinction; and she let herself be married off to a little clerk in the Ministry of Education. Her tastes were simple because she had never been able to afford any other, but she was as unhappy as though she had married beneath her; for women have no caste or class, their beauty, grace, and charm serving them for birth or family, their natural delicacy, their instinctive elegance, their nimbleness of wit, are their only mark of rank, and put the slum girl on a level with the highest lady in the land.