Flight · Chapter
Chapter XVIII explained
Mimi's life in New York is marked by routine and dedication to her work at Francine's and to her son Jean, whom she visits in Baltimore.
What happens
Mimi's life in New York is marked by routine and dedication to her work at Francine's and to her son Jean, whom she visits in Baltimore. She declines social invitations, focusing on saving money and advancing in her career. As the war years pass, Mimi's skill and inventiveness earn her promotions, and she becomes indispensable to Madame Francine, who considers her a worthy successor. Mimi dreams of taking Jean to France, and her professional success culminates in satisfying the difficult Mrs. Bennett, further cementing her reputation.
Themes in this chapter
Resilience and Self-Reinvention
Mimi's steady progress at Francine's, her saving for Jean's future, and her dreams of a better life in France exemplify her resilience and determination to reinvent herself.
Class and Materialism
The chapter highlights the materialism of wealthy customers like Mrs. Bennett, whose status is tied to exclusive fashion, and Mimi's own aspirations for financial security.
Family and Sacrifice
Mimi's sacrifices for Jean—working hard, saving money, and postponing personal relationships—underscore the theme of family devotion.
Characters to notice
- Mimi Daquin
Mimi leads a disciplined life, working at Francine's and saving for Jean's future. She declines social invitations, focusing on her career and her son.
- Old Jean
Mimi visits Jean in Baltimore, watching him grow into a sturdy, intelligent child with a mischievous streak. She is determined to provide for him.
- Francine
Madame Francine, aging and weary, relies increasingly on Mimi, recognizing her talent and considering her a potential successor.
- Sylvia Smith
Sylvia invites Mimi to social outings, but Mimi declines, fearing she won't fit in with Sylvia's friends. Sylvia eventually leaves to open her own shop.
- Mrs. Bennett
A wealthy and demanding customer, Mrs. Bennett is difficult to please but is impressed by Mimi's creation, leading to praise and recommendations.
Key passages
“She was reaching the point where she could take care of his immediate wants from her earnings. But she knew it was best she let him remain there until she could more nearly assure that he could be taken care of even if she herself should get sick or die.”
Mimi was almost able to support Jean financially, but she decided to keep him in the institution until she could guarantee his care even if she became ill or passed away.
Highlights Mimi's careful planning and selflessness regarding Jean's welfare.
“Men instinctively turned and looked at her again as they passed her on the street. She was, of course, not unaware of these attentions nor did they altogether displease her. But her experiences with men, the disastrous one with Carl, the unpleasant ones in Germantown and New York, had made her frankly sceptical of men and their motives.”
Men found Mimi attractive, and she noticed their looks, but her past negative experiences with men made her distrustful of their intentions.
Reflects Mimi's guardedness and the impact of her past on her present relationships.
“To her the filmy stuffs were embodiments of a land far, far away from harsh realities. When no one was looking she would run through her fingers a fragile bit of silk or chiffon, smoky blue or icy green, as a miser would his gold.”
Mimi found escape in the luxurious fabrics she worked with, treating them like precious treasures that transported her away from her difficult life.
Illustrates Mimi's use of imagination and beauty as a coping mechanism.