How does Zazie, the main character, make you question traditional values and representations of the world?

While skilled educators can help you understand Zazie Lalochère, what traditional values are, what representations of the world are, no one can say how Zazie might make “you” question these things. Even further, perhaps Zazie doesn't make you question either traditional values or worldly representations. Zazie should, however, make you consider your thoughts on the subjects, you might especially think about trickery and gender identity.

The trickery of Zazie and others is one thing...

While skilled educators can help you understand Zazie Lalochère, what traditional values are, what representations of the world are, no one can say how Zazie might make “you” question these things. Even further, perhaps Zazie doesn't make you question either traditional values or worldly representations. Zazie should, however, make you consider your thoughts on the subjects, you might especially think about trickery and gender identity.

The trickery of Zazie and others is one thing that might make you question traditional values. Zazie often tries to convince crowds of people of someting for her own amusement. For example, when Turandot (Gabriel’s landlord) tries to offer protection, Zazie evades Turandot’s control by convincing others of an attempt to molest her. Later, Zazie herself is a victim of this trickery when the man who providers her with “blewgenes” convinces the crowd that Zazie is a thief. Is trickery, or using lies, for personal gain an honorable value?

Zazie’s innocence in regards to gender identity should tweak your thoughts about traditional values. Zazie continually wonders if her uncle, Gabriel, is a homosexual (even though Zazie doesn’t really understand what a homosexual is). This is proven by her constant questioning of his behaviors throughout the story. Although, we are meant to laugh through the farce at the gender-bending involved (especially when Zazie finds out that Marceline is really Marcel), it should make you think about the “traditional” sexual relationship between a man and a woman versus “non-traditional” sexual relationships between a man and a man or a woman and a woman. says it best:

It is clear that Queneau’s farce demonstrates the idiocy of assigning personality traits to individuals on the basis of gender.

This particular aspect should also bring up thoughts about related “worldly representations,” namely the difference between how these sexual relationships are treated in France as opposed to other places (such as the United States).

In conclusion, through Zazie’s character we are given a chance to question many things, especially lies and gender. Zazie Lalochère is quite a brash, young teen who comes to Paris, France, specifically to ride the metro (which, of course, is shut down when she gets there because of a strike). She puts her entire focus on that particular desire for adventure. Zazie is disgusted when she is unable to ride the metro, so she begins causing many difficulties for the people she is around. Thus begins Zazie’s real journey. As a result (and in grand irony), even though Zazie hasn’t gotten to experience the metro while awake, what a ride Zazie has had.