View a FREE sample

Nadja, pp. 11 to 16

• The novel opens with Breton talking about himself as subject of the book. He says that his relationships are not necessarily dark or disturbed, but are a means to find the general truths in life.

• Breton says he wants to find out the reasons why he has been put on earth, relating a story about Victor Hugo and his young mistress Juliette. When they traveled together, Hugo would point at a large gate and say "Bridle gate, Madame" and Kuliette would point at a smaller gate and say "pedestrian gate, Monsieur." As they continued traveling, the coach would pass two trees with intertwining branches. Hugo would say, "Philemon and Baucis," while Juliette would not answer.
• Breton says the two gates in Hugo's story stand for Hugo's strength and weakness, though he is unsure which represents which.

• Breton states while he has little admiration for Gustave...

(read more Chapter Abstracts)

This section contains 1,586 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample