"The Duchess and the Jeweller" is a short story by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1938. The story follows the life of Oliver Bacon, a wealthy jeweler who is obsessed with money and status. Bacon is determined to become a member of the aristocracy, and he sets his sights on purchasing a famous pearl necklace that once belonged to a duchess. However, the duchess is reluctant to sell the necklace to Bacon, and he must use all his charm and cunning to win her over. As he pursues his goal, Bacon must confront the emptiness and loneliness of his life, as well as the moral and ethical dilemmas that arise from his single-minded pursuit of wealth and status. The story explores themes of greed, ambition, and the corrupting influence of money on human relationships.
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