A Life of Her Own

             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 does nothing to prevent it even if it is his favorite daughter Emilie.
             Another idea that Emilie talks about is the way her father acts compared to other men around the country side. She tells how she would talk to friends and they would say how lucky she is to have the father that she has. Emilie reacts negatively to this and says how at least they have a mother. This is pretty sad because even though she has the nicest father around it still doesn't make up for being without a mother who will teach her what she needs to do and will always be there to talk to about marriage and other important events that she will face in the future. .
             Life within the community is also portrayed by Emilie.