Monsieur Mon Ami And Déjeuner Du Matin

People often assume a facade when they are suffering to spare the feelings of those they love, particularly following the dissolvement of romance. This desire to spare others stems from selflessness and love, despite the pain that accompanies a separation. Relationships and their endings are composed of complex aspects and feelings, difficult to be understood without personally suffering through it. Through language, perspective, and allusions, poets Sandra Cisneros and Jacques Prévert show how two women react outwardly and inwardly to their lovers leaving in “Monsieur Mon Ami” and “Déjeuner du Matin”, respectively, as well as how their actions contradict their emotions.
Language in poetry, such as diction and syntax, allows for poets to convey

“Monsieur Mon Ami” is told from the first person perspective with limited access into her thoughts or context preceding the events of the poem. She addresses someone lovingly, calling him, “my pretty one” (l. 1) following his announcement to leave, but while he “pack[s] the lovely clothes” (l. 13), she is silent and unable to voice her affection. She calls herself, “A good sport” (l. 19) for not speaking up. She values this man’s happiness more than she values her own, showing that she deeply cares for him and only wants what is best for him even though it pains her. This woman is rendered speechless, paralleling with the woman in “Déjeuner du Matin”, who also cannot find it in herself to speak. However, “Déjeuner du Matin” is written in the past tense, although also from a first person point of view, focusing only on action while “Monsieur Mon Ami” focuses primarily on emotion. This creates a sense of indifference, coupled with the man’s logical actions, such as when he “put his raincoat on / Because it was raining” (l. 23-24). He moves to protect himself from the outside elements and influences. Rain is typically associated with sorrow, mirroring how the women of each poem feels, although they mask it to please their loved ones. The subject of “Déjeuner du Matin” reflects on the past, seemingly detached from the surrounding world, reminiscing on what she once had while the speaker

While sitting together, the man “ … lit a cigarette /… made smoke rings / With the smoke / … put the ashes / In the ash-tray” (l 12-17). As he smokes, he continues to act logically and with reason. His smoking represents their relationship: unhealthy for both of them. He directly hurts himself while indirectly hurting her; he is selfish and shows no consideration for her. As he leaves, it is raining, matching her mood and mirroring her tears. She cannot express what she feels until he has gone, but he still feels the impact of her pain as the rain hits him, and he attempts to avoid it with his raincoat. The weather directly correlates with what she feels inside, implying a link with nature, and thus, a purity. He wishes to avoid all emotions and consequences for the suffering he has caused, but her connection with nature does not allow him to do so. While rain suggests sadness, it also brings clarity and a sense of rejuvenation. It brings new beginnings because, although the relationship is ending, the water cleanses this woman and clears the metaphorical smoke from her eyes. Although this woman cannot speak her mind and express what she is feeling, her surroundings do it for