Comment on style and language

This story is set in France. There are several French phrases incorporated into the narration. Some are translated. For instance, when Sophie’s dog starts barking, she tells it: “‘Arrête ça!’ I shout. ‘Stop that.’” (9). “Stop that” (9) is the literal translation of the French phrase used by Sophie. The meanings of other French terms incorporated in the narration can be determined by context clues. For instance, when Camille sees Ben moving into the apartment, she attracts his attention by: “standing up and waving so hard that her nénés bounced around in her bikini top like they were trying to escape” (51). In this section of narration, Mimi is obviously referring to Camille’s breasts.