The Paris Library: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-13

Chapters 14-26

Chapters 27-39

Chapters 40-48

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Dewey Decimal System

Odile’s favorite part of library school, the Dewey Decimal System, is a numerical system used to organize library books on shelves by subject. The author uses this motif to represent belonging. Just as every book has a place, so too does every person. Furthermore, books are personal. Proper books for an individual speak to the circumstances in that person’s life or transport them to another place. Odile wonders several times what a person’s Dewey Decimal number would be. She asks this question of Lily. Odile’s friendship with Bitsi begins when they discover that they have similar tastes in reading. What a person enjoys reading is revealing. The personal significance of books makes the theft of Professor Cohen’s collection even more horrifying. This motif emphasizes the important role of books, belonging, and the bases of friendship.

Foreign Language

The author uses this motif to emphasize the importance of connecting with others and belonging to a community. Living in Paris, Margaret is initially isolated because she doesn’t speak French well. Her husband, in fact, is disgusted with her when he learns that she doesn’t have command of the language. When Margaret visits the American Library, she’s immediately at home hearing the English language. Odile recognizes Margaret’s need for friendship and helps her learn French. Eventually, Margaret considers Paris her home. In learning the language, she comes to belong. Years later, Odile teaches Lily the French language. The lessons bond the two women. Lily comes to love France as she learns the language. At the end of the book, Lily heads to Paris, where her fluency with the language will help her belong.

Gifts

Gifts are symbols of friendship and love. The author uses this symbol several times, such as when Odile uses the proceeds of her first paycheck to buy train tickets for Rémy and when Paul saves his money to buy tickets to a cabaret during the occupation. Margaret bestows several gifts on Odile given her resources and German lover. Margaret’s last gift to Odile is a red belt. Instead of a symbol of friendship, however, this belt reminds Odile of her betrayal of Margaret. Odile wears it until Lily’s graduation. In finally replacing it, Odile signifies self-forgiveness. Odile gives Lily a French beret and a ticket to Paris for her graduation. Treasuring both gifts, Lily is thankful for Odile’s friendship and the connection to French culture that Odile has given her.