Summary | Reminiscences Of A Parisian Model | Anjali Mendes

Summary

            Reminiscences of a Parisian Model narrates the journey of a model from an ordinary home loving girl to a super model at the Pierre Cardin. But it also brings out her desire to go beyond her outward journey by trying to discover her inward journey. In spite of having been a model for several years and working for Pierre Cardin in Paris, her love for her country has given her a wider perspective of life. The ups and downs of her life have helped her absorb and learn, share and spread happiness, transcending geography, culture and relationships. She feels fulfilled that she can retain her roots while being open to other systems of knowledge and belief.

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Why is learning important?

Learning is very important as it is the door to success in life. In the chapter Reminiscences of a Parisian Model', Anjali Mendes narrates her journey of becoming a model. For her it was not just academic learning, but learning lessons of life from every situation. Even learning a new word, a language or culture helps in taking you towards success. Her pursuit of professional success took her to different places across the globe crossing national and cultural boundaries.

Which experiences made Anjali Mendes feel that life is a gift?

            'Reminiscences of a Parisian Model' narrates the journey of a model. The pursuit of professional success takes her to different places across the globe crossing national and cultural boundaries. Angela was born in an ordinary family in India but when opportunity knocked her door, she used it to pave her way to success. She took up the role of a model with Pierre Cardin in France and worked with him for twenty-five years. This experience turned the course of her life and she realized that life is a gift.

According to the author, what is the importance of the years of her association with Pierre Cardin?

        'Reminiscences of a Parisian Model' narrates the journey of a model. The pursuit of professional success takes her to different places across the globe crossing national and cultural boundaries. She took up the role of a house model with Pierre Cardin in France and worked with him for twenty-five years. This experience turned the course of her life and she realized that 'Life is a gift'. Working with Pierre Cardin, she learnt that discipline, punctuality, and respect for people were crucial to advancement, both in terms of career and self-development.

Cultural Assimilation:

            Cultural Assimilation means the resemblance of language and culture of an individual or a group to those of other individual or group. The lesson is a true example of it. Anjali Mendes, born in a Christian family in India, has absorbed the Hindu thought and culture along with the Christian thought. This opened up a wider vision of life and made her more tolerant and open-minded. This eclectic mix made her happy as she could retain her roots while being open to other systems of belief and knowledge. This was possible only because of her exposure to the outer world. Working as a house model for Pierre Cardin took her to France. twenty-five years of her stay there is a in the course of her career and travels, meeting people, exchanging ideas had helped her to absorb and learn, share and spread happiness, transcending geography, culture and relationship.

The phoenix as a Symbol:

        In classical mythology, the phoenix is a unique bird that lived for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert. After this time, it burnt itself on a funeral pyre and rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another circle. It is a metaphor for picking up oneself when one is down and helps in taking a bold step in life. In a world full of people who are blasé, Anjali had to carve a niche for herself. The pain and sorrow in her life had taken her to the rock bottom but like the phoenix, she rose from the cold ashes without being cantankerous and bitter. When opportunity knocked, she grabbed it and went to France to become a model. She got great fame and name in a short span of twenty-five years. On her retirement, she decided to come back to India to receive the beauty and get the full Import of the heritage bequeathed to us.