In Emilie Carles’ book A Life of Her Own many themes are brought up that give a clear view of what society was like during the twentieth century in France. She makes it possible for the reader to notice the changes that she had to go through when she moves from the country side in France to the much larger, more sophisticated city. Family life is also a big part of the story because the reader will be able to see how horrible some family life can be.
During the beginning of the story the reader is mainly showed the life within the family and what her father was like. Emilie tells about her mother’s death and how it was her earlier memory. This being when she was only four years old and had no real idea what death was and would ask her father when her mother was going to come back. This tragic event caused the whole family to become depressed even Emilie’s father. With this death the reader is made aware just how important the mother was in raising the family and carrying out jobs around the house. The father because very stressed out being stuck with all these children around the house and not having any idea how to cope with the new responsibilities. From this point on he sees nothing wrong with death and really
One of the final and greatest changes that occurred in society was the idea that parents would allow there children to go out and do whatever they wanted to do. The Carles’ were especially good at this, since one son wanted to be a ski instructor and the other a pastry baker. Both of these jobs aren’t really the best of jobs but still the parents didn’t care as long as the children were happy.
Throughout the Carles’ book the reader can see the slow progression on how society had changed from one person governing other people to being able to make their own decisions and fight for what they believe. Early in the book the idea of marriage comes about and how Emilie’s mother was forced into marriage with her father even though they were not in love. Joseph did love his wife just she did not feel the same way back towards him. This custom changes during the book when Catherine marries Joseph even after her father disapproves of it and towards the middle of the book when Emilie marries Jean Carles. This is a very controversial issue since Jean is not a land owner and Joseph and every other person within the two families oppose everything having to do with the two become married.
When Jean and Emilie are at the climax of there life everything seems to be close to being perfect, Jean is mayor and everything just clicks.
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