A Man's Place

In the description Ernaux gives of her father from page 53, “He was a cheerful man,” to page 57, “Really! Some people’s manners!” what do we learn? In a slew of small details, we get a very good idea of his personality. What do we learn that is not said?

Ernaux strives to ground her account of her father’s life in fact. She often describes him through his habits or his beliefs, and through her family’s -isms—do you think this is a successful way of remaining objective? Do you think in general her account of his life is completely objective?

What do you think of Ernaux’s own presence in the story of her father? How does her perspective lend itself to her father’s story?

How does the final passage in the book relate to the rest of the book? Why do you think Ernaux chose to include it?