Outline

Introduction

The Life before Us is the story of an orphaned Arab boy, Momo, and his devotion to Madame Rosa.

Discussion

As a very young boy, Momo rebels against Madame Rosa: he wants his mother.

Abortion or Suicide

Old Age Perspective

As a Prostitute

Conclusion

We can conclude that the life before us is not just a book about life, as the title suggests, but also death.

The Life before Us

Introduction

The Life before Us is the story of an orphaned Arab boy, Momo, and his devotion to Madame Rosa, a dying, 68-year-old, and 220-lb. survivor of Auschwitz and retired "lady of the night." The story of Madame Rosa and Momo unfolds in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural community. The profound emotional bond between the two main characters, one an old Jewish woman and the other a young Arab boy, is what drives the novel emotionally from the beginning to the end.

Discussion

Romain Gary relates to us the story of Momo, an Arab kid who's raised by Mrs. Rosa (a former prostitute), with other “whoreson “(this word is used with tender by the author). Gradually the other children are taken away and Momo and a Mrs. Rosa finish being head-to-head. Mrs. Rosa is getting older and ill so the two characters have to take care of each other and a closer relationship begins between them, “she all I have in this world” said Momo. We learn to see the world by Momo's eyes: Mrs. Rosa is monstrous (she weights 99 kilos and has few hairs) so she needs to be more loved than beautiful people. As a very young boy, Momo rebels against Madame Rosa: he wants his mother. But as the novel continues, the bonds between the characters are strengthened, and his devotion to the old woman in her final days is memorable. “She's all I have in this world,” ...