What is the overall theme or message of the story? Be specific. Why do you think the author included the lengthy conversation between Roger and Bernard? Is it vital to the development of the story’s theme? Provide a minimum of three examples of textual evidence to support your response. In addition, the response for this question should be a minimum of two paragraphs.
The story titled “Useless Beauty” features one of the author’s strange characters. The Countess confesses to her husband, the Count, a terrible secret she has been withholding from him: one of the seven children they’ve had together is not actually his. He becomes obsessed with discovering which of the kids is not his, but the Countess stubbornly and absolutely refuses to divulge that information. Finally, she discloses the truth is that she lied in the first place in order to be loved for herself rather than as a producer of offspring. I think there is an obsessive cruelty that permeates French society that is at play here. There is a basic lack of respect between both genders that one can see in this and other stories by this author.
What did the count ask the countess to swear amidst the children?
What did the count ask the countess to swear amidst the children?
Why did the Countess change her plan to go to the park?
Why did the Countess change her plan to go to the park?
