Discussion Topic
Summary of "Break of Day" by Colette
Summary:
"Break of Day" by Colette is a reflective narrative where the author contemplates aging, solitude, and the passage of time. Set in a French countryside, Colette examines her personal growth and the simplicity of rural life, contrasting it with the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations. The story emphasizes acceptance and the wisdom that comes with embracing life's inevitable changes.
What is the summary of Break of Day by Colette?
Colette's Break of Day was written in 1928 and is considered one of the author's most momentous achievements. The story is written in the first-person present tense and is constructed as a sort of fictional memoir around themes like nostalgia for youth, the fragility of love, and enjoying the simplicity of life.
We meet Madame Colette, which is the name of the character as well as the author, in her home in Provence, France. A woman in her late 40s, she is enjoying her garden during the lovely summer months, feeling lonely and reminiscing about her childhood. However, the tranquility of this setting is disturbed when two transient youths come to the French Riviera: a blonde female artist named Helene Clement and an attractive male upholsterer named Vial.
Tensions rise when Vial reveals to Colette that he has a certain lust for her. Rather than accepting his advances, she tries to pair him up with Helene Clement, which only offends him. It becomes clear to the reader that her goal is not to achieve love, but to wield it like a weapon. By the end, nothing has really changed. Helene Clement pursues Vial herself and seems shocked that Colette would continue to reject his advances.
One of the criticisms that the story often gets, despite its poetic craftsmanship, is that the plot is very slight. However, Colette's purpose was likely driven more by the exploration of key thematic elements than by an urge to follow an explicitly plot-driven narrative.
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