Bonjour Tristesse

Cécile scrutinizes her feelings toward Anne, unsure whether her hostility is justified or a result of immaturity. Though she attempts to reason through her emotions, she remains undecided and divided. Her behavior becomes more withdrawn, and she speaks little, creating a tense atmosphere at the villa.

Cécile fixates on Anne’s relationship with Raymond, observing Anne’s gestures and tone for signs of affection. At times, she condemns Anne as cold and possessive, describing her as “a beautiful serpent” (60), only to later feel ashamed of the thought. Anne notices Cécile’s shifting behavior, but Raymond remains oblivious.

One morning, Raymond comments on Cécile’s weight and jokingly blames the stress of studying. Anne points out that Cécile hasn’t been working but instead paces in her room. When pressed, Cécile denies missing Cyril and lashes out, insisting she doesn’t care about her upcoming exam. She hopes Anne will ask her what’s truly wrong, but Anne does not. Cécile realizes that Anne’s emotional reserve and sense of propriety make such questioning unlikely. Anne offers Cécile calm encouragement to return to her usual cheerful self. Cécile bitterly responds, calling herself “a thoughtless heathy young thing, brimful of gaiety and stupidity” (63).