Gentlemen Prefer Blondes · Chapter
IV: Paris Is Devine explained
Lorelei and Dorothy explore Paris with a French viscount, visit the Eiffel Tower, tea at the Madrid, and Montmartre, but Lorelei finds French gentlemen less rewarding than American ones.
What happens
Lorelei and Dorothy explore Paris with a French viscount, visit the Eiffel Tower, tea at the Madrid, and Montmartre, but Lorelei finds French gentlemen less rewarding than American ones. She devises a scheme with Dorothy to buy an imitation diamond tiara to deceive Lady Francis Beekman and help Louie and Robber, while planning to use the tiara to encourage shopping sprees. They attend the Folies Bergère, and Lorelei reflects on the hospitality of French people.
Themes in this chapter
Materialism and Transactional Relationships
Lorelei values gifts like diamond and sapphire bracelets over romantic gestures, and she schemes to use an imitation tiara to manipulate Louie and Robber for shopping benefits.
Appearance vs. Reality
The imitation diamond tiara is central to the plot, representing deception; Lorelei also notes that French gentlemen seem charming but offer little of real value.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy
Lorelei's companion; helps pick up a French viscount, quarrels with Lorelei, and participates in the scheme to deceive Lady Francis Beekman.
- Louie
A French gentleman who, with Robber, takes Lorelei and Dorothy shopping and to the Folies Bergère; part of the plan to sell an imitation tiara to Lady Francis Beekman.
- Robber
Louie's companion; joins in the scheme, kisses Lorelei's forehead reverently, and plans to charge Lady Francis Beekman for the imitation tiara.
- Lady Francis Beekman
The target of Lorelei's scheme; Lorelei plans to deceive her with an imitation diamond tiara to teach her a lesson.
- Mr. Eisman
Expected to arrive in Paris next week; Lorelei plans to tell him she is learning French from Louie and Robber.
Key passages
“kissing your hand may make you feel very very good but a diamond and safire bracelet lasts forever.”
Romantic gestures are fleeting, but material gifts have lasting value.
Highlights Lorelei's materialistic worldview and transactional view of relationships.
“my brains reminded her of a radio because you listen to it for days and days and you get discouradged and just when you are getting ready to smash it, something comes out that is a masterpiece.”
Dorothy compares Lorelei's intelligence to a radio that surprises with brilliance after seeming unproductive.
Shows Dorothy's admiration for Lorelei's cunning and creativity.
“I really think that American gentlemen are the best after all, because kissing your hand may make you feel very very good but a diamond and safire bracelet lasts forever.”
American men are superior because they provide lasting material gifts rather than empty romantic gestures.
Reinforces the theme of materialism and cultural contrast.