How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Gigi.
Quote #1
AUNT ALICIA: Bad table manners have broken up more marriages than infidelity.
This emphasis on manners reminds us of a line from another Lerner and Loewe musical, My Fair Lady. In complaining about the terrible speech of Englishmen, Professor Higgins says, "The French don't care what they do, actually, as long as they pronounce it properly." Alicia's saying the same thing: appearances are everything.
Quote #2
GIGI: Why does grandmama stop me from accepting invitations?
AUNT ALICIA: She's right for once. You'd only be invited by ordinary people.
GIGI: What about us? Aren't we ordinary people? Why are we different?
AUNT ALICIA: They have weak heads and careless bodies. Besides, they are married. But I don't think you would understand.
GIGI: Oh yes, Auntie, I understand. We don't marry, is that it?
It's hard for Alicia to explain to Gigi exactly what's different about their unusual social situation. Alicia feels superior to ordinary people who aren't thinking every minute about obtaining jewels and carriages from wealthy men. She probably knows that courtesans would be looked down upon by married people, but still feels she's lived a more glamorous and financially secure life because of her past liaisons. How much of all this do you think Gigi understands?
Quote #3
AUNT ALICIA: Great kings don't give very big stones [...] because they don't feel they have to. […]
GIGI: Who does give the valuable jewels?
AUNT ALICIA: Who? Oh, the shy, the proud. And the social climbers. They think it's a sign of culture.
Lots of people thought that they could be admitted to the higher social classes if they spent lots of money and bought expensive presents. Aunt Alicia lets us know that's not possible. They're still unsophisticated and ignorant about the rules. Upward social mobility is a myth here.