Anne’s Unfinished Future

Bonjour tristesse

Anne moves from self-possessed guest to hopeful partner and prospective guardian, then is lost before her planned life can begin.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Composed Mentor The Composed Mentor from "Bonjour tristesse". The Composed Mentor An admired figure Anne has previously helped Cécile adapt to adult life, teaching her style and introducing her to new experiences.

The Composed Mentor from "Bonjour tristesse". The Composed Mentor An admired figure Anne has previously helped Cécile adapt to adult life, teaching her style and introducing her to new experiences.

The Composed Mentor An admired figure Anne has previously helped Cécile adapt to adult life, teaching her style and introducing her to new experiences. Cécile admires her refinement. A guarded independence Anne is divorced and appears emotionally self-contained. This image makes her later moments of vulnerability startling to Cécile.

A Vulnerable Arrival A Vulnerable Arrival from "Bonjour tristesse". A Vulnerable Arrival An exposed reaction Anne’s distress on learning that Elsa is at the villa briefly breaks through her composure.

A Vulnerable Arrival from "Bonjour tristesse". A Vulnerable Arrival An exposed reaction Anne’s distress on learning that Elsa is at the villa briefly breaks through her composure.

A Vulnerable Arrival An exposed reaction Anne’s distress on learning that Elsa is at the villa briefly breaks through her composure. Cécile sees an emotion she cannot readily explain. A return to control Anne soon resumes her courteous manner. The contrast suggests that her self-command conceals feelings rather than disproves them.

A Marriage Chosen A Marriage Chosen from "Bonjour tristesse". A Marriage Chosen Love takes form Anne and Raymond decide to marry.

A Marriage Chosen Love takes form Anne and Raymond decide to marry. Their choice gives their relationship a public future and gives Anne a possible place in Cécile’s family. Responsibility accepted By marrying Raymond, Anne also takes on a guiding role toward Cécile. Her wish to help becomes a source of friction as well as care.

The Betrayal Discovered The Betrayal Discovered from "Bonjour tristesse". The Betrayal Discovered A painful recognition Anne discovers Raymond with Elsa after Cécile’s scheme has helped bring the affair about.

The Betrayal Discovered from "Bonjour tristesse". The Betrayal Discovered A painful recognition Anne discovers Raymond with Elsa after Cécile’s scheme has helped bring the affair about.

The Betrayal Discovered A painful recognition Anne discovers Raymond with Elsa after Cécile’s scheme has helped bring the affair about. Her confidence in the future collapses. A departure She drives away rather than remain in the household. Cécile finally understands the extent of Anne’s hurt, but cannot undo the discovery.

A Future Cut Short A Future Cut Short from "Bonjour tristesse". A Future Cut Short Fatal departure Anne’s car goes off the Estérel Mountain Road and she dies.

A Future Cut Short from "Bonjour tristesse". A Future Cut Short Fatal departure Anne’s car goes off the Estérel Mountain Road and she dies.

A Future Cut Short Fatal departure Anne’s car goes off the Estérel Mountain Road and she dies. The circumstances leave Cécile uncertain whether the event was an accident or something more deliberate. Unlived possibility The marriage, the family, and the future Anne might have built remain unfinished. Her death makes every earlier dispute newly irreversible.

Before the summer

The afternoon she reaches the villa

Several weeks after arriving

Late in the holiday

Near the end of the holiday