‘Bonjour Tristesse’ is a novel that tells the story of a seventeen-year-old girl named Cecile, who is spending her summer holidays in a villa on the French Riviera with her father, Raymond, and his young mistress, Elsa. The villa is located in a beautiful setting on the Mediterranean coast, and the novel evokes the glamour and hedonism of the French Riviera in the 1950s.
Cecile enjoys the freedom of the summer holidays, spending her days lounging by the pool and socializing with friends. However, her idyllic summer is disrupted when Raymond’s old friend, Anne, arrives and threatens to upset the delicate balance of their lives. Anne is a sophisticated woman who represents everything that Cecile’s carefree lifestyle is not: she is serious, cultured, and intellectual. Anne also has designs on Raymond, and Cecile begins to feel jealous and resentful of her.
The tension between Cecile and Anne comes to a head when Raymond announces that he plans to marry Anne, which would mean the end of his relationship with Elsa. Cecile, desperate to maintain her carefree lifestyle and her relationship with Elsa, concocts a plan to break up the engagement. The plan ultimately backfires, leading to tragic consequences for all involved.
Throughout the novel, the French Riviera is portrayed as a playground for the wealthy and glamorous, a place where people go to escape their troubles and indulge in their desires. The setting is described in vivid detail, with lush descriptions of the villa, the beach, and the surrounding countryside. The novel also explores the contrast between the carefree lifestyle of the young and the seriousness of the older generation, as well as the destructive power of jealousy and selfishness.
While not solely focused on travel, there are several lessons that can be gleaned from the characters’ experiences and travels in the novel.
Don’t take your experiences for granted.
The main character, Cecile, spends her summer traveling along the French Riviera with her father and his young lover. She initially takes for granted the beauty of her surroundings and the freedom she has to explore. However, as the story progresses, Cecile begins to appreciate her experiences more, recognizing that they may not last forever. As she reflects,
“It was one of those moments when one feels that the whole world is made for one: it was one of those moments when one feels that the whole world is made for one: it was a sweet and lovely illusion, and yet it was so real that I could not help but feeling a pang of regret”.
Be mindful of the consequences of your actions.
Throughout the novel, Cecile engages in various behaviors that ultimately have negative consequences for herself and those around her. Her decision to manipulate her father and his lover ultimately leads to tragedy. As she reflects on her actions, Cecile recognizes the damage she has caused:
“I was the only one to blame, for I knew what I was doing. I had deliberately kept quiet about what was going on between Anne and Raymond, hoping that the summer would last forever, that we would continue to be happy and carefree”.
Appreciate the beauty of simplicity.
One of the novel’s most memorable scenes takes place on a small, deserted beach. Cecile reflects on the beauty of the moment, even though it is simple:
“There was nothing to do but to look at the sea and the sky, at the small waves breaking on the sandy shore, at the seagulls and the people who were walking along the water’s edge. It was so beautiful, so peaceful, so perfect that I felt tears come into my eyes”.
Travel can provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
Cecile’s travels with her father and Anne expose her to new experiences and perspectives, which ultimately shape her understanding of herself and the world around her. As she reflects towards the end of the novel,
“I had learned something about myself and about life during that summer. I had learned that there is no real escape, that everything we do, even in the most remote and beautiful places, has consequences”.
Embrace the unexpected.
While Cecile’s summer initially seems idyllic and carefree, unexpected events ultimately disrupt the peace. However, these events also provide opportunities for growth and reflection. Cecile reflects on the unexpected twists and turns of her summer:
“I had not expected things to turn out the way they did, but then, life is full of surprises”.
Travel can be a means of escaping or avoiding problems, but this is not always healthy.
Cecile’s father, Raymond, takes her on the trip to the Riviera in part to distract her from her studies and the pressure of her upcoming exams. While the trip is initially a welcome reprieve, it ultimately leads to more problems and complications. As Cecile reflects,
“We had come to the end of our summer, and with it had come the end of my childhood. I had escaped from my studies, but in doing so I had learned something about life that I could never have learned in school”.
interpersonal relationships and communication when traveling is important.
Throughout the novel, Cecile struggles with communicating her thoughts and feelings to the people around her, particularly her father and Anne. This lack of communication ultimately leads to misunderstandings and conflicts that have significant consequences.
As travelers, it is important to recognize that communication and building relationships with the people we encounter on our journeys can be just as important as the sights and experiences we seek out. Whether we are traveling with friends and family or interacting with locals in a foreign country, taking the time to listen, understand, and communicate effectively can make our travels more rewarding and fulfilling.
Cecile reflects on the importance of communication and understanding in her relationships:
“I had loved my father and Anne, and yet I had not understood them. I had not taken the time to know them or to try to understand their feelings”.
being true to yourself and your values when traveling is important.
Throughout the novel, Cecile struggles with her own desires and the expectations of the people around her. She often feels pressure to conform to others’ expectations, particularly those of her father and Anne.
However, as the story progresses, Cecile begins to recognize the importance of staying true to herself and her own values. As she reflects towards the end of the novel,
“I had been weak and I had allowed myself to be carried away by my emotions. But now I had learned that I had to be true to myself, even if that meant going against the wishes of the people I loved”.
When traveling, it can be easy to get caught up in the expectations of others, whether it be family members, travel companions, or even societal norms. However, it is important to remember that our travels are ultimately our own, and we should feel free to explore and experience them in a way that is authentic to ourselves.
Cecile learns the importance of being true to oneself and following one’s own path, even if it means going against the wishes of others. This lesson can be valuable for travelers seeking to make the most of their journeys while staying true to themselves.
Embrace Change and Growth When Traveling.
Throughout the novel, Cecile experiences significant personal growth and transformation as a result of her travels and experiences. She learns to confront and overcome her own limitations and biases, and becomes more open-minded and accepting of the people and world around her.
As she reflects on her journey towards the end of the novel, Cecile states,
“I had grown up, and I had learned to appreciate the beauty and complexity of life”.
When traveling, it is important to be open to new experiences and perspectives, and to embrace the opportunities for growth and transformation that come with exploring new places and meeting new people. Travel can offer us a chance to confront and overcome our own limitations, broaden our perspectives, and learn more about ourselves and the world around us.