"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant and James Hurst's "The Scarlet Ibis" are two unarguably divergent short stories .The stories have similarities and differences in two of their characters, Doodle's brother and Mathilde Loisel respectively. While they both tend to be concerned with appearances,are resentful of something, and have excessive pride they differ in their actions especially in self sacrifice, deception, and actions beneficial to others.

Although Doodle's Brother and Mathilde Loisel are in different time and geographical settings they both end up in the same situation in which they are ashamed of their family or friends.

- Doodle's Brother and Mathilde Loisel are both superficial and anxious about their affectation. (Doodle's Brother is upset with having a brother that doesn't function properly; Mathilde Loisel is ashamed about not being rich and not having jewelry and an evening dress)

- Redundant amounts of...