blog#6 – taming Chaos —
The Duality of Cécile was by far the most captivating aspect of Bonjour Tristesse. Françoise Sagan’s ability to portray both a wild, cunning jealousy and guilt-ridden empathy and sorrow is what makes the book such an interesting read. The raw honesty and (at times, hesitant yet inevitable) introspection of Cécile’s own character and action offers a true sight of youth. Cécile’s overwhelming teenage hubris and insatiable craving for spontaneity – perhaps a kind of ‘rite-of-passage’ that is inescapable – reminds me of the type of impassability and invincibility I felt myself. (I say this as if I’m old and decrepit, I am only 20 years old but nonetheless, the 3 year difference between 17 and 20 is absolutely enormous.)
“What I like about youth is its spontaneity, it’s gay conversation.”
(Cécile – Page 53)
Cécile’s own ruminations about her actions – from sad and introspective to drunk and chaotic – served as a back-and-forth court debate for her thoughts. This two-folded theme, I found, can be applied numerous times throughout the book. Cécile’s on-and-off feelings of love for Cyril, Raymond’s two ‘viable’ life options (Elsa vs. Anne), Cécile’s distaste for order and her want for a maternal figure, subsequently, Anne’s actions from authoritarian to motherly from moment-to-moment. Not to mention the eerily similar pairing that Cécile and Raymond make, and the battle between orderly efficiency and frivolous spontaneity. Even Sagan’s constant mention of the waves on the beach could be interpreted as a theme of duality. Are there any that I missed?
“I cannot say I wanted to ‘be myself’ for I knew I was still soft clay. But I refused to be molded.”
(Cécile – Page 53)
Perhaps, one of my few faults with the book was the ending. I felt it was rushed and Anne’s death was glossed over. After thinking about it though, I can reason with myself that the rushed ending is very indicative of Cécile herself, spending most pages of the book, deep in thought, in love, or in lust. I think it fits quite well that perhaps the length of each storyline in the book is attached to the author’s own lived perspective and how they view it in hindsight.
However, I liked the idea of fate and it’s overarching role in life, how everything, though it seems unreal and insane sometimes, always maintains its balance. In this case, the balance between orderly efficiency (Anne) and frivolous spontaneity (Cécile). Though Anne caused a ripple in their lives, (for better or for worse), eventually the waters stilled, and life continued on as it was – maybe a little different.