Bonjour Tristesse

The next morning, Cécile awakes to a pleasant, sunny morning. Recalling the previous evening, she muses that it’s necessary to be quite drunk to endure the company of people like the Webbs, who are unrefined compared to someone like Anne. It’s easier for Raymond, she thinks, who relates to Charles Webb as a fellow libertine. Anne’s friends probably never talk so brashly about their conquests. Cécile reflects on how she “almost shared Anne’s condescending attitude toward our friends,” though she still thinks she’ll be more like those people than like Anne by the time she’s 30.

Cécile’s thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door: it’s Anne, holding a cup of coffee for Cécile. Cécile apologizes for being a bit too drunk last night. Anne laughs and says that’s what happens every time Cécile goes out. Cécile realizes in that moment how whenever she talks to Anne, every other distraction fades away, and she is “completely absorbed” in their conversation. Now, Anne asks Cécile if she actually likes people like the Webbs. Cécile admits that the Webbs are kind of awful, but they’re amusing and sometimes entertaining to be around. Cécile’s response troubles Anne—doesn’t Cécile see how boring and superficial the Webbs are? Cécile retorts that Charles Webb’s “lack of morals fascinates” her after her years spent in the sheltered atmosphere of boarding school.

Cécile asks if Anne thinks Cécile is smart. She admits to feeling intimidated by Anne’s self-assurance. Anne replies that of course Cécile is smart. And, as far as self-assurance is concerned, it’s just a matter of age. After a pause, Anne asks Cécile if she knows how life tends to go for “men like [Charles] Webb.” “In the river,” Cécile replies glibly. Anne soberly explains that men like Charles Webb become lonely and restless once they are too old to drink and women no longer find them attractive. When Anne characterizes Cécile’s innocence as “the privilege of youth,” Cécile grows irritated, insisting she doesn’t see her youth as a curse or a privilege: to her, youth is irrelevant. Anne, frustrated, notes how upsetting she sometimes finds Cécile and Raymond’s lack of introspection and foresight.  Cécile insists that she’s “not content with [her]self” either.

Their conversation nearing its end, Anne gets up and leaves Cécile to rest. Alone, Cécile considers how Anne is underestimating Raymond. In 25 years, Cécile predicts, Raymond will still be his fun-loving, happy-go-lucky self. Cécile will still join him on his adventures—he’ll just be older. As Cécile contemplates her and Raymond’s future, she realizes that she has omitted Anne from it, unable to grasp how Anne will fit into their life. Even so, her love for Cyril has allowed her to stop being so apprehensive about how Anne’s presence will negatively affect her and Raymond’s world, which revolves around excitement.