Combray

Swann in Love

Place-Names

The Verdurins and their “Little Clan”

An evening at the Marquise de Saint-Euverte’s

The whole past shattered stone by stone

• Detached from social life by his love and his jealosy, Swann can observe it as is in itself (458)
• the footmen (459)
• the monocles (463)
• the Marquise de Cambremer and the Vicomtesse de Franquetot listening to Liszt’s “St. Francis” (466)
• Mme de Gallardon, a despised cousin of the Guermantes
• Arrival of the Princesse des Laumes (469)
• her conversation with Swann (483)
• Swann introduces the young Mme de Cambremer (Mlle Legrandin) to General de Froberville (489)
• Vinteuil’s little phrase poignantly reminds Swann of the days when Odette loved him (490)
• The language of music (495)
• Swann realizes that Odette’s love for him will never revive (502)

Summary

This relatively short section describes an evening piano recital at the Marquise de Saint-Euverte’s. During this time Swann comes to realize that his affair with Odette is likely finished.

Quotations

none!

Comment

After 200 pages for a description of Swann’s early days with Odette, this 40 page sectiion seems positively brief. As with the previous section, I am finding that I am primarily reading for story now, rather than for the interesting psychological asides. I hope this does not continue, since the story itself is tedious. It was the asides and reflections on time and memory that gave the novel it’s insightful meaning. Although I must admit to a continuing fascination with many of the sentences.