What is the theme of "The Necklace," by Guy de Maupassant?

The theme of "The Necklace," by Guy de Maupassant is most likely "honesty is the best policy." So many problems in the lives of the Loisels could have been avoided if Mme. Loisel had simply visited Mme. Forrestier the day after the party and explained what happened.

The Loisels were not wealthy, though Mme. Loisel believed she belonged in a higher social class. "She was simple since she could not be adorned; but she was unhappy as though kept out of her own class." She did have a wealthy friend in Mme. Forrestier, though, and Mme. Forrestier agreed to loan Mme. Loisel jewels to wear for the fancy party the Loisels would be attending. Unfortunately, Mme. Loisel lost the borrowed necklace after the party.

Instead of admitting the accident to her friend, Mme. Loisel and her husband decided to replace the necklace and return the new one as if it was the original. However, the Loisels did not have the money required to buy a replacement:

"In a shop in the Palais Royal, they found a diamond necklace that seemed to them absolutely like the one they were seeking. It was priced forty thousand francs. They could have it for thirty-six."

The next ten years of the Loisel's lives were negatively impacted by this one event: they borrowed and promised to repay loans from everyone they knew, they worked hard, and lived meagerly. Overtime, they adjusted. "Mme. Loisel learned the horrible life of the needy," and in the end, it can be said that she created her own misery.

As the story concludes, the old friends are reunited. Mme. Loisel finally admits the truth to Mme. Forrestier:

“I brought you back another just like it. And now for ten years we have been paying for it. You will understand that it was not easy for us, who had nothing. At last, it is done, and I am mighty glad.”

Unfortunately, the truth does not set Mme. Loisel free. Instead, it brings her more frustration and unhappiness than she could have imagined, because Mme. Forrestier admits that her original necklace was a fake! “Oh, my poor Mathilde. But mine were false. At most they were worth five hundred francs!”

Therefore, the theme of this story is "honesty is the best policy." Had the Loisels owned up to the truth to begin with, they would have saved themselves much pain and suffering.