The Immoralist

During his illness, Michel becomes hyper-focused on his body because his sensations are so intense that he can hardly think. Looking back, he believes that he must have had a “nervous disorder” (30) in addition to tuberculosis because his extreme sensitivity to changes in temperature causes him to always feel either too hot or too cold. He retains this sensitivity even after he recovers, but he tells his friends that “these days it is a source of exquisite pleasure” (30).

Eventually, Michel starts to feel well enough to walk to the park with Marceline, who socializes with the locals. Her presence makes Michel feel uneasy because he grows tired of her asking how he is feeling. One day he goes to the park without Marceline, accompanied by Bachir, who carries his shawl. Bachir introduces Michel to his sister, who is playing in a nearby canal. Bachir’s sister asks for “two sous,” and Michel gives her ten. He also meets Bachir’s mother, who is a washerwoman. She asks Bachir to help her, so Bachir leaves Michel by himself.

Michel soon meets Ashour, a Black 14-year-old boy. Michel enjoys Ashour’s company and finds him to be a pleasant change from Bachir, whom he has already grown tired of.