From the book
The Gods Are Athirst
Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Related words and phrases.
French distinguishes familiar singular tu from polite or plural vous. In the first-night chapter Élodie praises Gamelin with vous in the courtyard but gives the later secret instructions with tu. The grammatical change marks intimacy that English “you” cannot reproduce directly. Elsewhere politics and familiar speech also use tu, so not every occurrence is erotic.
Places to read
- Chapter XI, paragraph 49Frenchvous êtes généreux: you are generous. Élodie’s courtyard address remains vous.
- Chapter XI, paragraph 58FrenchSi tu entends du bruit: if you hear a noise. After their night together she uses intimate tu in her practical instructions.