Nicole Flashcards
(14 cards)
Chapter One
First mention of Nicole
Suggests Francis may be in love with her
Makes the reader ask questions
I thought of Nicole Renard, realizing I had not thought of her for, oh, maybe two hours.
Chapter One (end)
The chapter ends on a cliff-hanger
Where is Nicole?
What happened to her?
“And even though I am home from the war, I wonder if I will ever see her again.”
Chapter Two
Francis’s first description of Nicole shows how he reveres her
Over-exaggeration
“The most beautiful girl I had ever seen… The pale purity of her face reminded me of the statue of St Therese… I silently pledged her my love and loyalty forever.”
Chapter Two
Emphasises Francis’s lack of self-esteem
Is this typical teenage angst?
“Was the look that passed between us that first day a wish of my imagination?”
Chapter Two
This is ironic
For Francis, his love for Nicole does become agony
“I never knew love could be so agonising”
Chapter Two
Again, Francis lacks the confidence to believe that Nicole could be attracted to him
Is he trying to make us feel sorry for him?
“I wondered whether she’d been waving at Joey LeBlanc or me.”
Chapter 3
Adds to the mystery of Nicole Renard
Shows that Francis did end up going out with Nicole but that something must have gone wrong
“All kinds of rumours about her Francis. She began to stay at home… She was like… a hermit.”
Chapter 5
Francis describes Nicole using a simile.
Again, he suggests that she is unique.
She is separate - just like him.
“She seemed to exist in a world of her own, like a rare specimen, bird-like and graceful, separate from the rest of the dancers.”
Chapter 7
Nicole has said she likes to watch Francis play
Francis highlights this moment by the use of paragraphs
“For the first time in my life, a tide of confidence swept through me.”
Chapter 7
Why does Francis feel jealous?
Is he jealous because Nicole is close to Larry?
Is he jealous Larry likes Nicole?
Answer: Long quote!
“Her words filled me with both delight and agony, delight at her invitation and the instant agony of jealousy, the way she had casually said his name… ‘Larry’, spoken off-hand as if they were more than teacher and pupil.”
Chapter 7
Francis gains confidence from beating Larry
Again he describes Nicole using religious imagery - he makes her into an idol
“My eyes sought Nicole, found her joyous face, hands joined together, as if in prayer, eyes half-closed as if making herself an offering to me.”
Chapter 11
Francis is describing the perfect evening between them both.
He indicates that he wants to be with her forever.
This emphasises the tragedy of the chapter.
“‘I’ll buy you one like that someday,’ I whispered in her ear, my voice trembling a bit, betraying my love for her.
Squeezing my hand, she leaned towards me and her warm cheek rested against mine.”
Chapter 11
This is a lie - Francis leaves her at the worst possible moment.
As Francis is telling the story, he must realise how ironic this promise is - it helps to build dramatic tension.
“Once, Nicole whispered: ‘Stay close to me,’ as we resumed our parade… a thrill went through me like a jolt as I pulled her close and said: ‘I’ll never leave you.’”
Chapter 16
Nicole has been physically transformed by her experiences.
Francis still sees her as a work of art.
“For one lightning moment, I don’t recognise her… Now her hair is cut short and combed straight and flat… Her cheek-bones are more prominent and her eyes seem to be bigger, I look at her as if studying a painting in a museum.”
