Genre
Nonfiction
Setting and Context
The book was written in the 20th century.
Narrator and Point of View
First-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Romantic, intriguing, fascinating
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Marcel.
Major Conflict
The conflict is that social climbers cannot be trusted. After critically comparing two families whose primary aim was to fit in a particular class, Proust makes this conclusion.
Climax
The climax comes when Proust gets bored with social life and decides to lock himself to write a book about his stunning past.
Foreshadowing
His social-climbing ambition foreshadows Swann's death. After realizing that he got married to the wrong person, he could not withstand the pressure in his life.
Understatement
Romanticism is understated in the text. For instance, most characters are attracted to the same-sex and at the same time want to get married to the opposite sex.
Allusions
The story alludes to social classes and relationships.
Imagery
The imagery of social hierarchy is rampant in the text. The description of Swann's marriage is a true depiction of social climbing. Swann's marriage is faced with tribulations because his initial intention was to be associated with the elite community. Still, he failed to conduct a background check for his wife, who became promiscuous.
Paradox
The main paradox is that despite Robert being gay, he will marry Gilberte to cover up his same-sex dealings.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Social climbing is a metonymy for a fake lifestyle.
Personification
N/A
