The Other Paris By Gallant

Gallant's "The Other Paris" is a marvelous representation of two "love birds" finalizing the decision of marriage "over a tuna-fish salad". A social commentary and an amount of satire over exaggerated to prove a point about society. Disney movie story lines are not a form of reality they are written scripts of fiction.
The author immediately introduces "expectation vs. reality" through Carol. Who is an extremely old woman who will never get married at the age of twenty-two because who would want that? She expected a "seine,moonlight,barrows of violets" with a gleaming Eiffel Tower in the background. And that is when life falcon punched her in the face with a lousy unexpected proposal over the rotting smell of tuna. To make it worst it's with a guy named Howard who she's only done small talk with over the course of three weeks. Just the fact that they "both would have liked champagne" for the special occasion; however, they were to "diffident to suggest it". That self explains how comfortable they are together. The exaggeration expressed through Gallant's words really show how idiotic it all sounds honestly. All to slap some sense in society to not make dumbfounded decisions.
The "star-crossed lovers" perfectly display how the film industry improperly demonstrates real love as introduced by the author.
In addition, although they aren't in love Howard didn't seem to consider the real aspect of what was going on in their "relationship", for he's an economist who had his salary in balance to fulfill a partner's need economically rather than emotionally like the true meaning love should be. On Carol's behalf she was just waiting for the love to be to be added to the equation after the most romantic day of her life will be done. Gallant's use of comparing love to a geranium flawlessly paints the reader a picture of how beautiful love should be visualized rather than a foolish feeling of a dead
rose.
The misconception of love surely aches Carol's heart as she "blamed it on the weather",for "she would fall deeply in love with Howard if only it would stop raining". It goes to show that marriage should be the option when both halves of the heart share the same goal in life, and when the emotions part take in the conditions. Howard himself was torn "between a state of numbness", in utter shock that the question even rolled off his tongue without a purpose but the flavor of sweet poison,"and a state of self congratulations" for finally progressing in his life. Sadly, the truth Gallant lets out of the bag is his need for "a competent housemaid", in order to attend him,fix the house all day and cook because he was tired of "little casserole dishes". If he wouldn't have been selfish on his behalf he wouldn't have even thought about having a wife for the wrong intentions. Correction a housemaid. Gallant adds this as if to put the truth behind the mentality of some men,not all, regarding some reasons as to why marriage will be the answer based on society's actions. However, as stuck in the same boat as Carol, his own sisters encouraged him to find someone before it's too late. This whole age aspect in life is present throughout the excerpt's social commentary.
No matter how lovely being treated like a Disney princess would be and have the capability to find true love at first sight it's rather impossible because real life is nothing compared to that. gallant's social commentary helps the reader realize how much of an eye opener reality is taken into consideration. "The Other Paris", shows the importance behind the true meaning of love and how it should be portrayed instead of foolishness.