Independent Book Synthesis Page: How does money figure in this text? The Elegance of the Hedgehog- By Muriel Barbery

The Elegance of the Hedgehog By Muriel Barbery

How does money figure in this text?

 Money is one of the main themes in the book, and it changes the way people think about certain topics such as what is most important to them. The book is narrated by two people: a girl, Paloma, from a rich family and a concierge, Renee, who works in the girl's building. Although Paloma herself does not share the beliefs of her parents, she describes her parents' values and beliefs throughout the story. Renee shares her beliefs and values through her narration.

The rich hate acknowledging the conflicts and problems in the world.

Supporting quotes:

• "Those Africans have the goldfish bowl right there in front of them, all day long—they can't escape through storytelling. But my parents and Colombe are convinced they're swimming in the ocean just because they live in their four thousand square feet with their piles of furniture and paintings." (Pg 27)
• "With no more apartment and no more daughter, maybe they'll give some thought to all those dead Africans, don't you suppose?" (Pg 27)
• "In our world, that's the way you live your grown-up life: you must constantly rebuild your identity as an adult, the way it's been put together it is wobbly, ephemeral, and fragile, it cloaks despair and, when you're alone in front of the mirror, it tells you the lies you need to believe." (Pg 92)
• "You pay such a price when you lead a false life! When the mask is taken away, when there's a crisis—and there's always a crisis at some point among mortals—the truth is terrible!" (Pg 92)

The rich pretend to be better than the poor because they dislike sharing a category with them and are often pretentious and try to act like they are not "filthy" as a result.
Supporting quotes:

• "...Manuela has been polishing the toilets with a Q-tip, and though they may be gilded with gold leaf, they are just as filthy and reeking as any toilets on the planet, because if there is one thing the rich do share with the poor, however unwillingly, it is their nauseating intestines..." (Pg 31)
• "...at that price, I would have preferred a year's subscription to McDonald's. At least it's in bad taste without being pretentious." (Pg 94)

• "Maybe I am completely mistaken; but French cuisine seems old and pretentious to me..."     (Pg 94)

  The poor appreciate the beauty in everything and are more thankful.
Supporting quotes:

• "Am I not referring to the sort of beauty that is the exclusive preserve of Art." (Pg 165)
• ""Those who feel inspired, as I do, by the greatness of small things will pursue them to the very heart of the inessential where, cloaked in everyday attire, this greatness will emerge from within a certain ordering of ordinary things..." (Pg 165)
• "I suddenly felt my spirit expand, for I was capable of grasping the utter beauty of the trees." (Pg 170)

• "Only the splendors of Art can explain why the awareness of my unworthiness has suddenly been eclipsed by an esthetic blackout..."It's so beautiful."" (Pg 200)

  The poor do not run and hide from the difficult things in life such as death, but acknowledge them.
Supporting quotes:

• ""You know...everything comes at its appointed time."" (Pg 105)
• "There were no poignant regrets, because he had found peace this way; he had placed his trust in what we had said to each other without any need for words, while we watched, together, the bright screen where a story was being told. And I accepted it." (Pg 75, 76)
• "...I have finally concluded, maybe that's what life is about: there's a lot of despair, but also the odd moment of beauty, where time is no longer the same." (Pg 325)