Volume I: Middle Ages to the 18th Century: French Literature A Brief History (English Edition)

Author: Guo Lige
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-05-01
Features: This book is designed for senior undergraduate and graduate students of French major in Chinese colleges and universities to study the history of French literature; it can also serve as a reference for French teachers and general French workers. Guided by Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, this book critically adopts the literary theories of famous French literary critics and historians such as Sainte-Beuve, Taine, Brunetière,, Moreau, and Bourdieu. In the study of medieval literature, it provides a detailed analysis of knightly literature and bourgeois literature, particularly highlighting that The Tales of Renart fully embodies the unique style of medieval French bourgeois literature and has long been regarded as a treasure in the legacy of ancient French literature. This book is a microcosm of the conflicts and struggles among various forces in the feudal society of medieval France. Renart represents the emerging bourgeois class. This view differs entirely from that of French literary historians, who believe Renart is a member of the lower-middle ranks within the ruling class. Renart's struggles are seen as internal conflicts within the ruling class. When studying classical literature, this book pays attention to the class antagonism and class analysis of the time, arguing that the absolute monarchy represented by Louis XIV could not transcend class divisions and, in reality, represented the interests of the feudal ruling class, the aristocracy. This perspective also differs from the views of most French literary historians. Furthermore, they often avoid discussing medieval peasant movements like the Jacquerie or the literary works of the Paris Commune of 1871 in French literary history, mentioning them only in passing. This book, however, provides a more detailed account of these topics. Additionally, it offers a detailed analysis and elaboration on the writers of various historical periods in France, their literary schools, and the linguistic features, authorial styles, and artistic characteristics of famous works. During the writing process, a large amount of material was collected, making this the first comprehensive history of French literature written in French in China. Due to the author's limited proficiency in French and the scope of literary history materials available, there are undoubtedly many shortcomings and errors. Sincerely, we hope for the readers' criticism and correction.