When Claude Lantier and Florent visit the home of Madame François in Nanterre, Florent feels a sense of relief at being away from the gluttony and weightiness of Les Halles. It is here that the seminal subject of Fat vs. Thin is plainly spoken of by Claude. The artist's categorization of the characters in Les Halles as either fat or thin gives the reader an opportunity to agree or disagree with Claude Lantier's point of view.
