I am afraid you seem to have confused your literary terms
somewhat. A paradox is defined as a statement or a situation that seems to be a
contradiction but reveals an inner truth. Consider referring to someone as a "wise
fool," as Viola does to Feste in Twelfth Night. This is a statement
that apparently makes no sense, yet when we think about it we can see the truth that
emerges from this paradox.
What I think you are talking
about is the situational irony that lies in the ending of this excellent short story.
Situational irony occurs when there is a contradiction between what we expect to happen
and what really takes place. We can see the massive situational irony at the end of this
grimly humorous short story when we find out, after Mathilde Loisel reduces herself to
an "old woman" because of the hard work she has been forced into, discovers that the
necklace was only fake after all and she has suffered
needlessly:
Mme. Forestier, quite overcome, clasped her by
the hands. "Oh my poor Mathilde. But mine was fake. Why, at most it was worth only five
hundred francs!"
This is the
massive situational irony that gives the story the great impact that it has, and we are
left questioning whether poor Mathilde deserved what she got for her constant
daydreaming or whether she has suffered unfairly. If you are after another short story
to compare this one with, "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry is another excellent
example of situational irony.
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