By Stephanie Perkins
Introduction — “Anna and the French Kiss” by Stephanie Perkins is a delightful young adult romance novel set against the enchanting backdrop of Paris. Stephanie Perkins, an acclaimed author known for her engaging storytelling and relatable characters, crafted this book as part of a trilogy, with “Lola and the Boy Next Door” and “Isla and the Happily Ever After” completing the series. The genre is contemporary romance, focusing on the intricacies of young love, friendship, and self-discovery. 📚❤️
Plot Summary
Plot Summary — “Anna and the French Kiss” follows Anna Oliphant, a high school senior from Atlanta, who is unexpectedly sent to a boarding school in Paris by her father, a bestselling author. Initially resistant and homesick, Anna soon finds herself immersed in the vibrant culture of the City of Light.
- Exposition: Anna arrives in Paris, feeling alone and out of place. She misses her friends and family back in Atlanta and struggles to adjust to her new environment.
- Rising Action: Anna befriends a group of students, including the charming and enigmatic Étienne St. Clair. Despite his relationship with Ellie, another student, Anna and Étienne develop a close bond.
- Climax: Anna and Étienne’s relationship becomes more complicated as they deal with personal issues, including Étienne’s family problems and Anna’s feelings of betrayal when she discovers her best friend back home is dating her crush.
- Falling Action: After a series of misunderstandings and emotional upheavals, Anna and Étienne realize their mutual feelings. They confront their fears and insecurities, leading to significant personal growth.
- Resolution: The story concludes with Anna and Étienne confessing their love for each other, embracing a future together in Paris.
Character Analysis
Character Analysis — The novel’s characters are well-developed, each contributing significantly to the story’s progression and thematic depth.
- Anna Oliphant: A relatable protagonist who starts as insecure and homesick but grows into a confident and self-assured young woman. Her journey is marked by self-discovery and the courage to embrace change.
- Étienne St. Clair: Charismatic and kind-hearted, Étienne struggles with his loyalty to his girlfriend and his growing feelings for Anna. His character development is tied to overcoming his fear of change and confronting his familial issues.
- Meredith: Anna’s first friend at the boarding school, Meredith is supportive but harbors a crush on Étienne, adding complexity to their friendship.
- Rashmi: Part of Anna’s friend group, Rashmi is pragmatic and often serves as a voice of reason within the group.
- Josh: Rashmi’s boyfriend, an artist who is dedicated to his craft and dreams of becoming a graphic novelist.
Character Analysis Summary
| Character | Personality | Motivations | Development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Oliphant | Insecure, relatable, kind | To fit in, find love, and understand herself | Gains confidence and self-awareness |
| Étienne St. Clair | Charismatic, kind-hearted, conflicted | Loyalty to girlfriend, attraction to Anna | Learns to confront his fears and embrace change |
| Meredith | Supportive, friendly, reserved | Friendship with Anna, crush on Étienne | Learns to manage her feelings and be supportive |
| Rashmi | Pragmatic, intelligent, direct | Maintaining friendships, academic success | Acts as the group’s voice of reason |
| Josh | Artistic, dedicated, introverted | Pursuing his artistic dreams | Balances his artistic ambitions with friendships |
Themes and Symbols
Themes and Symbols — The novel delves into several major themes and uses symbols to enhance its narrative.
- Themes:
- Self-Discovery: Anna’s journey in Paris is one of personal growth and understanding her identity.
- Love and Friendship: The complexities of romantic and platonic relationships are explored through Anna’s interactions.
- Change and Adaptation: Characters must adapt to new environments and circumstances, showcasing the importance of flexibility and resilience.
- Symbols:
- Paris: Represents the possibilities and beauty of life, serving as a catalyst for Anna’s transformation.
- Anna’s Journal: Symbolizes her thoughts, feelings, and growth throughout her time in Paris.
- Movies: Reflect Anna’s passion and serve as a connection to her father and home.
Style and Tone
Style and Tone — Stephanie Perkins employs a distinct writing style and tone that greatly contribute to the mood and atmosphere of the novel.
- Engaging and Relatable: The narrative is accessible, drawing readers into Anna’s world.
- Humorous and Heartfelt: Balances light-hearted moments with emotional depth.
- Descriptive: Vivid descriptions of Paris enhance the setting, making it almost a character in itself.
- Dialogue-Driven: The realistic and witty dialogue helps develop characters and their relationships.
Literary Devices used in Anna and the French Kiss
Literary Devices used in Anna and the French Kiss
- Imagery: Descriptive language that paints vivid pictures of Paris and the characters’ experiences.
- Metaphor: Comparisons used to illustrate characters’ emotions and situations.
- Simile: Comparisons using “like” or “as” to add depth to descriptions.
- Foreshadowing: Hints about future events that create suspense.
- Symbolism: Objects and settings that represent larger ideas.
- Irony: Situations that are opposite of what is expected, adding humor or depth.
- Hyperbole: Exaggeration for emphasis or effect.
- Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human elements.
- Juxtaposition: Placing contrasting elements side by side to highlight differences.
- Allusion: References to other works or historical events that enrich the narrative.
Literary Device Examples
Imagery
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “The Eiffel Tower sparkles like a diamond at night.” | Creates a vivid picture of Paris at night. |
| “The Seine flows gently, reflecting the city’s lights.” | Descriptive language that evokes the beauty of Paris. |
| “The autumn leaves crunch under our feet.” | Sensory detail that immerses the reader in the scene. |
Metaphor
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “Her smile is a ray of sunshine.” | Compares a smile to sunshine to emphasize its warmth. |
| “The city is a labyrinth.” | Compares Paris to a maze, highlighting its complexity. |
| “His voice is velvet.” | Compares the smoothness of his voice to velvet. |
Simile
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “She’s as quiet as a mouse.” | Uses “as” to compare her quietness to a mouse’s. |
| “He stood tall like a skyscraper.” | Uses “like” to compare his height to a skyscraper’s. |
| “Her eyes shone like stars.” | Uses “like” to compare her bright eyes to stars. |
Foreshadowing
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “I had a bad feeling about this.” | Hints at future trouble or conflict. |
| “He kept glancing at his watch.” | Suggests upcoming importance or urgency. |
| “The air felt tense, like the calm before a storm.” | Prepares the reader for imminent conflict. |
Symbolism
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “The Eiffel Tower” | Symbolizes romance and the beauty of Paris. |
| “Anna’s journal” | Represents her inner thoughts and personal growth. |
| “Movies” | Symbolize Anna’s connection to her father and her passion. |
Irony
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “She didn’t want to go to Paris, but it became her favorite place.” | Highlights the unexpected joy found in Paris. |
| “He acted uninterested, but he was secretly in love.” | Emphasizes the contrast between behavior and true feelings. |
| “She thought she’d be alone, but found lifelong friends.” | Ironic twist that defies initial expectations. |
Hyperbole
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “I’ve told you a million times.” | Exaggeration to emphasize repetition. |
| “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.” | Exaggeration to highlight extreme hunger. |
| “He was the funniest person on the planet.” | Exaggeration to emphasize his humor. |
Personification
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “The city never sleeps.” | Gives the city human qualities of not sleeping. |
| “The wind whispered secrets.” | Describes the wind as if it can communicate. |
| “The buildings seemed to watch us.” | Personifies buildings as having the ability to watch. |
Juxtaposition
| **
| Example** | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “Paris by day and Paris by night.” | Contrasts the different atmospheres of the city. |
| “Her laughter amidst his tears.” | Highlights the emotional contrast between characters. |
| “The warmth of the cafe and the cold outside.” | Contrasts the comfort inside with the harsh weather. |
Allusion
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “A love story as timeless as Romeo and Juliet.” | References the classic love story to describe Anna and Étienne’s romance. |
| “Living in Paris, the city of Hemingway and Fitzgerald.” | Alludes to famous writers associated with Paris. |
| “Her patience was like that of Job.” | References the biblical figure known for his patience. |
FAQs
Anna and the French Kiss – FAQs
Q: What is the main setting of “Anna and the French Kiss”?
A: The novel is primarily set in Paris, France.
Q: Who is the protagonist of the story?
A: The protagonist is Anna Oliphant, an American high school senior.
Q: What genre does this book belong to?
A: The book belongs to the contemporary romance genre.
Q: Is “Anna and the French Kiss” part of a series?
A: Yes, it is the first book in a trilogy, followed by “Lola and the Boy Next Door” and “Isla and the Happily Ever After”.
Q: What themes are explored in the novel?
A: The novel explores themes of self-discovery, love and friendship, and change and adaptation.
Q: How does Anna’s character evolve throughout the story?
A: Anna grows from being insecure and homesick to becoming confident and self-assured.
Q: Who is Étienne St. Clair?
A: Étienne St. Clair is Anna’s charming and kind-hearted friend, who becomes her love interest.
Q: What literary devices are prominent in the book?
A: The book prominently uses imagery, metaphor, simile, foreshadowing, symbolism, irony, hyperbole, personification, juxtaposition, and allusion.
Q: What is the significance of Paris in the novel?
A: Paris serves as a symbol of possibilities and beauty, playing a crucial role in Anna’s transformation.
Q: How does the author use symbolism in the book?
A: The author uses objects like the Eiffel Tower, Anna’s journal, and movies to symbolize larger ideas like romance, personal growth, and connections to home.
Quiz
Quiz
| Question | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where is Anna originally from? | Atlanta, Georgia | New York, New York | Boston, Massachusetts | Chicago, Illinois |
| Who is Anna’s first friend at the boarding school? | Rashmi | Ellie | Meredith | Josh |
| What is Étienne St. Clair’s major conflict? | Choosing between Anna and Ellie | Balancing schoolwork and social life | Finding a career path | Dealing with his father’s illness |
| What does Anna’s journal symbolize? | Her love for Étienne | Her connection to her family | Her artistic talents | Her inner thoughts and growth |
| What genre does the book “Anna and the French Kiss” belong to? | Science Fiction | Historical Fiction | Contemporary Romance | Fantasy |
| What is the climax of the story? | Anna arriving in Paris | Anna and Étienne confessing their love | Anna visiting home for Christmas | Anna’s graduation |
| Who wrote “Anna and the French Kiss”? | John Green | Stephanie Perkins | Suzanne Collins | Sarah Dessen |
| Which theme is NOT explored in the novel? | Self-Discovery | Friendship | War and Peace | Change and Adaptation |
| What literary device is used when Paris is described as a “labyrinth”? | Irony | Hyperbole | Metaphor | Simile |
| What is the name of the trilogy that “Anna and the French Kiss” is part of? | Summer Romance Trilogy | City of Lights Trilogy | Anna and Friends Trilogy | Anna and the French Kiss Trilogy |
Exercise
Exercise
Read the following paragraph from “Anna and the French Kiss” and identify at least three literary devices used.
“The Eiffel Tower sparkled like a diamond at night, the Seine whispered secrets, and Anna’s heart beat faster than a hummingbird’s wings as she realized she was falling in love with Paris.”
Answers:
- Simile: “The Eiffel Tower sparkled like a diamond.”
- Personification: “The Seine whispered secrets.”
- Hyperbole: “Anna’s heart beat faster than a hummingbird’s wings.”