Madame Loisel is unhappy with her middle-class life and borrows a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier to attend a party. She loses the necklace and takes out loans to replace it, spending 10 years repaying the debt and living in poverty. When the necklace is found to be fake, Madame Loisel realizes her desires led to her downfall and she has changed as a person.