Marcel Proust’s “Combrary” is a beautiful reflection of Marcel’s past and how this shapes his current habits. Whether it is his sleeping habits that are influenced, or the way he views architecture, in this chapter, the past is truly recognized for its importance. The novel starts by describing his sleeping habits, which he connects back to remembering how he struggled to sleep if no motherly figure in his family wished him goodnight, but regardless, he would fall asleep at some point. His reference to his difficulties of falling asleep in the past are directly related to the past family traumas himself the rest of his family had faced. This led to Marcel to seemingly long for motherly companionship and support, such as being put to sleep. While reading the text, something that particularly got me to think about symbolism was the stained glass window and how it affected him. He said it became unrecognizeable and made him feel uneasy. I thought that this stained glass window is related to the changing family dynamics he faced in the past and how this uneasy feeling towards the change in appearance from the stained glass was also an extension to the uncertainty he felt once in the past. Marcel also recalls the tensions that once existed between his great aunt and his grandmother and how he was conflicted on how to go about the arguments that would arise and how this caused a sense of great burden and responsibility within himself. I think it was very interesting how Proust wrote “I did what we all do, once we are grown up, when confronted with suffering and injustice-“. I think this phrase was interesting because it is Proust commentating on a general human psychological phenomenon he believes to be true. I think this is where cultural norms and positionality begin to influence literary works. As the book continued, it is explained Marcel locks himself away where no one can see him and cries to console himself. I think this notion of dealing with family conflicts and suffering is very subjective and I am curious to understand more about traditional French family values to understand Marcel’s family structure a bit better. Combrary has quite an unique way of retelling stories of the past as it takes the lives, feelings and actions of many people and is rooting it back to how it all impacts Marcel as an individual. Moreover, as the chapter continues, some clarity is gained by delving into Marcel’s past, as it is evident how Swann M, his mother, father, grandmother and aunt are all guideposts in his present life.

Discussion Questions: 

1. When it is said “our social personality is a creation of the minds of others” do we think this is a school of thought Marcel carries with him in the future, or something he rejects?
2. Why is it important for Marcel to describe how he sleeps and wakes up at the start of the chapter?