French Literature

One of the most important novellas in the literature of the Enlightenment, “Candide” tells the story of a young and naïve protagonist, who is forced to start an incredible adventure that will challenge him to question his own believes. Written by Voltaire, this story is meant not only to make...

The Confessions, by Jean Jacques Rousseau is an autobiographical work published in 1782. The book covers the first fifty of Rousseau's life, and details key aspects of his philosophy, including his view on politics, the ideal role of social institutions in collective life, as well as his own conception of...

In Voltaire’s famous novella, Candide, the protagonist, represents the naivety and innocence of youth. His mentor taught him to believe in the ultimate goodness of the world. However, this does not reflect the truth of much life experience. Martin is a character who recognizes the difficulties and evils of the...

Introduction The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendhal offers us an in-depth insight to the genuine sense of human nature. This psychological romantic thriller provokes inner suspense within a reader making everyone reassess our true values. Like many of us, Fabrizzeo wants to be honorable but actually he’s not. Through his...

Emma from Madame Bovary and Ivan Ilyich from The Death of Ivan Ilyich are intrinsically linked by their personality and attitude. They share similar ideas of fashion and society, and their obsession with appearances consumes their lives. They also share a contempt for their spouses, seeking a stronger idea of...

In Gustave Flaubert’s novel Madame Bovary, the character Emma is noted and analyzed as tremendously selfish. However, this analysis is simplistic in its view. While Emma is certainly selfish and even cruel, her husband Charles also displays selfish tendencies. It is his selfishness combined with Emma’s character that causes their...

(I) “The only picture I carried away with me of that day's proceedings was a picture of the criminal. I have little doubt he was guilty, of what crime is no great matter. That little man of about thirty, with sparse, sandy hair, seemed so eager to confess everything, so...

The Book of the Coty of Ladies was authored by Christine de Pizan which was originally written in French but later translated to English. In this book, Christine de Pizan uses the Latin style conventions and syntax with the French prose. The author creates an allegorical city of ladies in...

Although different people would interpret The Stranger in different ways, many would probably agree that this novel is about a man’s confrontation with the society. The main character is portrayed trapped in a universe that is essentially alien to him and which he understands to be artificially constructed. At the...