Opposing Views

" 'Have you been in Paris long? Do you like it here? You love Paris, do you not?'...

'No, I don't like Paris. It's expensive and dirty.'

'Really? I find it so extraordinarily clean.' " Page 26

This passage stood out to me for a couple reasons. First of all, this was the second time in the novel that someone showed a dislike of Paris. It was first Robert who expressed this view and his dislike was so strong that he wanted to leave and visit South America. Georgette repeats this view. I found this interesting because neither of them are originally from Paris. Hemingway never reveals where Georgette is from but he implies that her home is not Paris. So, it is obviously their choice to live in Paris. Why would they choose a city that they dislike?

I also found it interesting that Frances loved Paris when the others disliked it so much. I found it intriguing that Hemingway chose to illustrate two completely opposite views. I found myself wondering which view Hemingway himself possessed. I believe that Hemingway's opinion of Paris is closer to Robert's and Georgette's. First of all, he expressed this view twice through two different characters. Also, during this scene the author states that Frances is a little drunk. Therefore, I believe that Hemingway is suggesting that her opinion is not as trustworthy as Georgette's.