The novel “Suite Française” takes place in the year 1940 in France. The novel opens in Paris, following several families and their attempt to flee the city. The people in the city seem to be scared of the war coming on them, but none of the families were in a frantic rush to leave the city as quickly as possible. The novel highlights the reactions of different individuals to the pending threat of German invasion of Paris. A poor, working class couple is sad, yet not scared of dieing. A rich writer is annoyed at his uprooting. A rich family gathers their many precious belongings and drives their servants to a friend’s estate. The wide range of social standing and attitude reflects how World War II affected everyone, not only those with family members in the war. Looking back at the war people would realize that they should have left their houses in Paris immediately, but fear can make people act strangely.
A major theme introduce in the beginning of the novel is how attitude can affect one’s flexibility and well-being. Some people see the war coming and continue to look for loved ones gone away to fight for their country, the hopeful yet sad feeling. Jeanne Michaud scans soldiers looking for her son and tells herself, “He does look like him, doesn’t he?”(56). Jeanne wants her son to be alive, and scans troops to find him. She knows this hope is in vain, and her son is hundreds of miles away, but it is the hope that keeps her spirits up. Some people, on the other hand, address the war as a vacation, not realizing the severity of the situation. Madame Pericand didn’t pack very much food, and went to a food shop along the way out of Paris. When asking for some biscuits the grocer replies, “We’ve got nothing left, Madame”(52). Madame Pericand surely understands there is a war going on, but didn’t realize what it would mean to her life style. She doesn’t understand what she must give up in the time of war, and has a hard time adjusting. The different attitudes of the people fleeing Paris show that one’s attitude is the basis for one’s flexibility.
Nemirovsky, Irene. “Suite Francaise”. New York: Random House, 2006.
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I am also reading a novel involving german attacks. I find it very interesting to read about the different reactions to the disasters. Some take it seriously while others don't. You have done a good job introducing the viewer to the plot and i liked the way you described "The wide range of social standing and attitude reflects how World War II"
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