Do you find Gabrielle likable or sympathetic? Did your opinion of her change as the novel progressed? Discuss your feelings on the likability of the characters in general.
Created: 10/19/17
Replies: 11
Join Date: 10/15/10
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Do you find Gabrielle likable or sympathetic? Did your opinion of her change as the novel progressed? Discuss your feelings on the likability of the characters in general.
Join Date: 08/22/17
Posts: 16
Join Date: 07/16/14
Posts: 374
When she was first with Emile I did feel sorry for her--She seemed to care for him and she seemed excited about the possibility that the artist for whom she posed might be successful, bringing success to her, as a model, as well. She was a poor girl, trying to make her way and maybe hoping not to have to sleep with a man like Emile, who was never going to stay with her, no matter how much he might care for her. I could understand her dismay when she found the paintings had not found favor with many but that Emile had bought them all.
As the novel went on, I realized she was a woman with street smarts, a survivor with empathy and kindness beaten out of her by life. She was a woman scorned and tossed about and had become ruthless, mean and hard--heartless.
Join Date: 07/17/11
Posts: 4
I found her to be selfish and narcissistic and intent on improving her own status in Paris society. Anything she did for anyone was tinted with this brush, so I never really liked her character throughout the novel.
Join Date: 10/26/17
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Join Date: 09/27/15
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Join Date: 04/15/12
Posts: 146
Join Date: 10/30/17
Posts: 7
I didn't find Gabrielle likable or sympathetic. All of her actions were for her benefit. She kept taking money from Emile and disappearing. When it was convenient for her, she walked back into his life only to take advantage of him again. When he decided to walk away from her, she became vengeful. I doubt Alice was the only woman Gabrielle was using to trick men into giving her money.
Join Date: 05/26/11
Posts: 80
I did not find Gabrielle likable but liking and understanding are two different things. Gabrielle was a sad character. I was never certain if she really loved her husband but she must have as she truly wanted him to succeed and, meanwhile, she seemed to be the breadwinner. I have never been that desperate so I cannot sit in judgment on someone who uses what she has to provide for herself and another. The saddest part was the obvious addiction that had overtaken her and the certainty of what ending she would eventually meet, perhaps not so very far into the future.
Join Date: 10/24/17
Posts: 46
I agree that understanding and liking are two different things. In the beginning, I felt a little sad for Gabrielle. She had a life that was leading nowhere positive. Add addiction to that struggle and we all could see her future was bleak.
However, once I realized her devious nature, I lost all sense of compassion for her. She completely took advantage of a young naive girl and almost ruined her life. The fact that she prostituted her out two times was so hard for me to read. My real sympathies lie with Alice. She's not smart enough to see what's right in front of her.
Gabrielle will get the ending she deserves. It's one thing to ruin your own life with your decisions. It's a totally different thing to take advantage of someone's naivete to try to bring about their ruin.
Join Date: 08/12/15
Posts: 167
I think Gabrille was a necessary character to the story. She was not likable, but I don;t think she cared to be unless it suited her needs. She used people to further her agenda and when they were no longer necessary, they were discarded, or worse,abused. she knew what she was doing to Alice, but she didn't care. She enjoyed it. Likable, no, but critical to the story!
Join Date: 12/26/11
Posts: 17
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