The theme of the short story, "The Necklace" is to be happy with who you are and what you have. This story had happen in France. This is illustrated in the story directly through symbolism, and is also connected to situational irony. Because Madame Loisel assumes that her rich friend's necklace is made of real gems, it shows she idealizes the rich class and considers them to be happy and perfect. She longs to be just like them, and believes adamantly that being middle class is shameful: "She suffered endlesslessly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury". Madame Loisel is not satisfied with her physical beauty alone, but yearns for wealth and extravagance