The Family Under The Bridge

“But Armand did not mind because he had a tickly feeling that something new and exciting was going to happen to him today.”

This quote, combined with the subsequent fortune-telling that Mireli does for Armand (“You will meet with adventure today” (3)) foreshadows Armand meeting the Calcets. Finding a family was not the adventure Armand planned or hoped for, and it seems more of a burden than an adventure at first. However, the meeting does prove to be life-changing and leads to Armand having new life experiences.

“‘I can’t abide children,’ grumped Armand. ‘Starlings they are. Witless, twittering, little pests.’”

Armand claims not to be able to “abide” or tolerate children. This establishes his demeanor and his perspective, emphasizing his dislike of attachments and obligations. However, Mireli counters this by saying he merely fears showing them his heart since Armand knows he would grow fond of them if he had them. This sets Armand up as an unreliable narrator because what he says contradicts what he actually does. Additionally, it foreshadows his meeting with the Calcet children and his subsequent fondness for them.

“The man was insulted. ‘I’ll have you know that I’m not just any old tramp,’ he said. And he wasn’t. ‘I’m not friendless, and I could be a workingman right now if I wanted.’”

Though Armand later grows ashamed of his “begging,” here, he is offended by the children’s dismissal of him. This shows his pride, which evolves over the course of the story, but never to the point where he wholly condemns living an unhoused life. In this scene, he emphasizes that he is unhoused by choice; he could find stable employment, but he doesn’t want to, nor is he lonely or destitute.

“‘Little one,’ he said, ‘next to a millionaire, a grandfather is the last thing I hope to be.’”

Armand claims that he wants neither money nor family, further reinforcing his self-image as a free man who lives the life he wants. He rejects the notion of Found Families, just as he rejects the prospect of becoming wealthy, because to him, both of these things signify unwanted obligations. This is ironic foreshadowing because Armand will ultimately end up both gainfully employed and proudly claiming the Calcet children as his grandchildren.

“In the good old days of Paris [...] they used to ring bells in the market places at the close of day so the tramps would know they were welcome to gather up the leftovers. But no more. Nowadays we have to look after ourselves.”

Armand describes historical Paris, which was much more hospitable to unhoused people, building the theme of Social Stigma and Discrimination. As times—and social standards—change, attitudes change as well, and fewer and fewer resources are made available to people without homes. Armand tells the children of the past, when an unhoused lifestyle was less stigmatized: The markets once allowed unhoused peoples to take the day’s unsold produce, and the unhoused population formed a community in the “Court of Miracles,” which, by Armand’s present day, has been repurposed by the city. This places Armand as part of a tradition of free spirits in the city and leans into the romantic origins of le clochard—the French “tramp.”

“He was used to the cold. He never felt it any more. But he was sure these children would feel it. As he lay on the hard concrete an uneasy thought worried him, like a mouse gnawing at his shoestring. Now that he had befriended these starlings, his life would never again be completely his own.”

Though Armand likes his life on the streets, he recognizes that it is a difficult and sometimes dangerous one. He views himself as capable of taking care of himself but worries that the Calcet children will suffer. Armand is self-aware enough to recognize that he has quickly bonded to the young family, and he feels the emotional pull of his concern for them. This builds the themes of Found Families and Change as a Catalyst for Growth since Armand knows his life has changed due to his familial devotion to the children.

Shoppers were buying earrings and suspenders and water-softeners and silk scarves from the vendors. They were buying frantically and noisily, as if they might never again find anything for sale on the Rue de Rivoli. And the way they were madly buying, perhaps there wouldn’t be anything left on the street next day.”

The frenetic consumerism of this scene creates a sharp contrast between mainstream Parisians and the marginalized population, such as Armand and the Calcets. They are mere feet apart in distance but miles away in privilege and resources. The Calcet children wish for treats and toys, but these are only small elements of what they truly want: a safe and stable home to live in. The novel describes scenes of plenty—this shopping scene and the later scene as Armand escorts the children through the market—but follows characters who have virtually nothing. This creates the narrative tension of hungry, unhoused children walking ignored through bustling markets and shops.

“‘It really tastes like medicine,’ he said. ‘All but the vine. That tastes exactly like ivy, tough and bitter. I ate a Christmas log once.’ The children did not look as if they believed him. ‘It’s a tricky way they have of getting children to take medicine,’ he insisted.”

In this scene, the children look longingly at a holiday cake in the window of a bakery, so Armand tries to convince them that the cake is actually undesirable. This is an attempt to prevent the children from feeling like they are missing out or being upset over their impoverished circumstances. He does this with roasted chestnuts and a mechanical soldier toy as well, showing that Armand believes that perception has a powerful influence on the mind.

“Armand tried to hustle his choir away, but the children wouldn’t let him leave until he had dropped a coin in the bowl for the monkey.”

Though the Calcet children have nothing, they are still generous and caring. Instead of wanting to keep all the money they earned for themselves, they plead with Armand to give the sad monkey a tip. This shows that they are kind-hearted and unselfish and establishes that they are not hindered by ideas of Social Stigma and Discrimination. They do not judge the man performing on the street the way well-off adults might.

“‘You’ve turned my children into beggars,’ she accused. ‘You’ve been using them for begging on the streets [...] I don’t want any of your ill-gotten money.’”

In contrast to the last scene, Madame Calcet illustrates Social Stigma and Discrimination by angrily scolding Armand, who had the children perform for money. Madame Calcet believes in the stigma associated with begging and is very upset that her family has fallen so “low.” This scene also emphasizes Madame Calcet’s pride, which is opposite to Armand’s and falls in line with typical societal standards.

“And he didn’t sleep well that night. He kept wondering about the children. Were they warm enough? Wouldn’t they be lonely? He tried to pretend to himself that he was fretting about something else.”

Despite Armand’s determination not to get attached to the Calcet family, he very quickly begins to care for them. This scene takes place after only two days of having known the children, yet Armand is deeply concerned for their welfare. These warm family bonds are consistent with Carlson’s other work and are essential to the theme of Found Families in the novel. Armand tries to distract himself with his reliable grumpiness, reminding himself of his aversion to children, but he is self-aware enough to know that he is actually concerned and not angry.

“‘Poor, wretched creature!’ exclaimed the woman in the black fur coat.

‘Perhaps we could save him,’ said the woman in the brown fur coat.

‘Oh, go feed the pigeons,’ jeered Armand.”

When these two women locate the children under the bridge, their desire to “help” the family threatens to break it apart. They offer to “save” Armand as well, but he is dismissive. The women are both described as wearing “fur coats,” which suggests they are wealthy. Their dramatic language in this scene, when paired with the choice to have them wearing the clothes of the affluent, depicts them as well-intentioned but out of touch; they have no intention of getting to know Armand or the children as individuals, only seeking to impose their idea of “help” onto them.

“He knew women like those two in the fur coats. Always trying to make hoboes go to work or wash their faces or read books. And now they were picking on children. Must have run out of hoboes.”

Armand’s resentment toward the women trying to change his lifestyle reinforces the bohemian aspects of his character. His criticisms are all about the “normal” things the women try to make people like him do. This shows that Armand likes the way he lives and does not want to be forced to live like a “normal” person who has to live a “normal” life. This quote also emphasizes his understanding of people like these women, who represent another aspect of Social Stigma and Discrimination: Though they claim to offer aid, in truth, they have savior complexes and only wish to force unhoused people to integrate into society.

“‘And with all that food,’ said Suzy, ‘wouldn’t you think they could spare us just a little bit?’”

Suzy’s comment further develops the division between the haves and have nots, which was established in the Christmas shopping scene (quote 8). The excess in the market makes it clear that there is enough food for everyone, but it is only given to people who have money. Suzy, a young child, doesn’t understand why no one will give them food, especially when leftovers are tossed into the gutter anyway.

“The sandy yard was filled with makeshift tents. Two rattle-trap automobiles were parked among them. Dark-skinned men gathered around a fire were beating on old pans with hammers. There were black-eyed women with gaudy skirts dragging over the wet sand. Children with half-wild fox faces stared at them. Then five dogs came bounding toward them, snarling and barking.”

This early introduction of the Roma people uses language cues to establish the Roma as “other.” Words like “makeshift” and “rattle-trap” give a sense of poverty. The author points out the Roma’s dark skin and eyes to contrast with the Calcets’ pale skin and red hair. Words like “gaudy” have a negative connotation that means “cheap” and “loud.” Attributing “half-wild fox faces” to the children helps to complete the sense that the Roma people are not like the people the Calcets are used to. Finally, the dogs’ approach is described as intimidating. All of this contributes to an atmosphere of foreignness and danger.

“A gypsy man put down his hammer and greeted them as warmly as Mireli. ‘There is always room for one or ten more in our camp,’ he said.”

Despite the ominous introduction to the Roma camp, the people are very warm and friendly. This kind introduction makes it clear that the Roma people are generous and welcoming people who do their best to take care of others. This provides contrast and tension between what the Calcets expect from the Roma people (dishonesty, thievery) and what they actually get (kindness, hospitality), building up the theme of Social Stigma and Discrimination.

“All the way through the dimly lit streets, Madame Calcet followed several steps behind him. Armand knew it was because she was ashamed to be seen with a hobo. But he did not let that bother him. He had lost his pride long ago.”

This scene helps to establish the novel’s motif of pride and theme of Social Stigma and Discrimination. Despite all the kind things Armand has done for her family—and despite their shared status as unhoused people—Madame Calcet does not want to be connected to him in public. This shows the negative social stigma attached to people who look like Armand, which Madame Calcet clearly buys into. Armand’s reflection on Madame Calcet’s pride supports the idea that pride is something that must be surrendered if you are to survive on the streets. Instead of remaining hung up on stereotypes and social expectations, Armand takes pride in living without a home.

“‘Gypsies!’ shrieked Madame Calcet. ‘You have brought us to gypsies!’ Then, in her shame and despair, she started sobbing bitterly into her twisted scarf. ‘To think we have fallen so low,’ wept the woman. ‘My children at home with gypsies.’

‘What is wrong with gypsies?’ asked Armand. ‘Why do you think you are better? Are you kinder? Are you more generous?’”

Madame Calcet’s strong reaction to the Roma camp fulfills Armand’s expectations: that she would find the Roma people undesirable and lament the family’s need to associate with them at all. He is ready for her disgust, however, and quickly challenges her negative stereotypes. By asking about Madame Calcet’s kindness and generosity, Armand reframes the conversation about the Roma people, focusing on their good qualities and establishing them as a community like any other.

“‘There are rich people in beautiful clothes sitting at white tables up there,’ [Madame Calcet] said enviously.

‘And paying a lot of money for rich food that’s going to give them indigestion,’ said Armand. ‘Come on! That sauerkraut smells like a feast to me.’”

As with the children in Quotes 8 and 15, Armand attempts to make Madame Calcet feel better by changing her perspective on the things she wants and cannot have. Armand encourages her to focus on what they do have—a feast provided by the Notre Dame cathedral.

“‘Please God,’ he said, moving his lips soundlessly, ‘I’ve forgotten how to pray. All I know now is how to beg. So I’m begging you to find a roof for this homeless family.’ Then he was ashamed to notice that he was holding his beret up in his usual begging way. He quickly pulled it over his head.”

Armand, when provided with the opportunity to ask for something, asks not for wealth or success or material goods for himself, but rather for the safety and security of the Calcet family. This shows the depths of his caring, building on the theme of Found Families. This scene also connects the idea of shame to begging through Armand, when previously, it was seen only through Madame Calcet. Armand’s views on begging, at least for himself, are changing as a result of his interactions with the Calcets.

“A police officer was entering the yard. He was a stern-looking officer with a heavy coat and full-cut cape. His hat was pulled down over his thick eyebrows. The gypsy boys, followed by Paul, disappeared into the tents. Most of the men were gone, but the few remaining ones vanished as quickly as the boys. Even the dogs, Jojo among them, tucked their tails between their legs and dived under the one automobile left in the yard.”

The haste with which the Roma people disappear reflects their poor relationship with the police. Instead of seeing the policeman as a helpful person, the Roma people expect to be arrested or otherwise harassed. This connects to the theme of Social Stigma and Discrimination, showing that the Roma people know how they are perceived by law enforcement and that they do their best to avoid contact with the authorities.

“‘They want to put him in the Army,’ wailed an old woman. ‘I know that is it. They put my Teodoro in the Army and he was never the same again. Gave up the wandering life and settled down in a house.’”

This quote shows both the Roma people’s fear of the police and their preference for their wandering lifestyle. The dismay with which the old woman “wails” about “[settling] down in a house” demonstrates the strength of their commitment to their nomadic lifestyle. It also shows how the Roma people fear that authorities will force them to change—similar to Armand’s thoughts on the women in quote 13.

“A great feeling of shame came over Armand at the boy’s words. The children’s eyes were turned to him with that needful look. He cleared his throat. ‘Everything is going to turn out all right,’ he assured them. ‘I’m going to get a steady job. Your mama and I ought to make enough between us to rent that room in Clichy for you nestlings.’ Then, frightened by his own brave words, he slumped to the ground and leaned back weakly against the wall.”

Armand, moved by Paul’s efforts to get a job and support the family, makes a grand declaration of intent to become employed. He does this not because he wants a job for himself but because he wants to be able to take care of the Calcets. Getting a job may not seem like something that requires a great deal of courage, but for Armand it does—he’s become accustomed to long, free days with no responsibilities. Even though the change in lifestyle scares him, he is willing to be brave for the young family he loves.