"I Ain't Saying She's a Gold Digger..."

…But she definitely is. The position of the character Florence in Suite Francaise was briefly discussed in class on Monday, but I feel there is more to be said for and against her as a person. It is made clear that her relationship with the wealthy writer Gabriel Corte is one that benefits her financially and provides  her with what many would consider to be a “comfortable” lifestyle. Professor described her as a “live-in prostitute” during class, and it would be hard to argue that this description doesn't accurately fit her situation. At the beginning of Chapter 14, the reader is given more insight on what their relationship means to Florence. She describes her feelings and believes that:

Gabriel had broken the tactic agreement that bound them together. After all, for a man and a woman in their position, at the age, love was a contract. She had given herself to him because she hoped he would take care of her-not just materially but emotionally. Until now she had been dutifully repaid: he had given her wealth and prestige. But suddenly he seemed to her a weak and despicable creature (Nemiirovsky 65).

One key insight that this gives the readers is that she is not with him purely for his money; she expects some level of an emotional and loving relationship with him. This is a natural instinct for people, especially women, to crave to make emotional connections with others, especially those we are in a relationship with. It is easy to see that Gabriel does not always cater to this need of hers. He is short-tempered and often speaks to her in a disrespectful tone. When first reading the novel, this made me pity and feel bad for Florence; however, could his behavior be justified since she is willingly with him and in the relationship for what could be seen as selfish intentions? I would argue that even though he does provide for her financially, it does not give him the right to treat a woman that he is in a relationship with-regardless of the nature of their arrangement-so disrespectfully.