What is the message and purpose of The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant?

The Necklace by Guy De Maupassant is based on a young (middle-aged) woman whose life was ruined because of her dissatisfaction with an ordinary life. She was brought up in a middle-class family but her beauty and pride made her believe that she deserved a rich and lavish life. In an attempt to present her grace to others, she lost an expensive necklace and her life was ruined because she had to make up for its loss.

Hence, the necklace teaches that one must be satisfied with one's fortunes. We shouldn't dream of lavish surroundings and great possessions, we should present a realistic image of our lives to others. Otherwise we will be lost in our distant hopes, which we cannot even work towards, and in the midst fail to notice whatever happens in our own true lives.