Gustavus Flaubertus Bourgeoisophobus

It is well known that Flaubert harboured an obsessive hatred of the bourgeois and his mentality which erupts constantly and explosively in his correspondence, informs large parts of the works set in his own time, Madame Bovary, L'Éducation sentimentale, Un Cur simple and Bouvard et Pécuchet and even overflows into Salammbô and his theatrical experiments. Since most of his thought and writing is so visibly and vitally affected by this obsession, it seems valuable to investigate its origins, its development and its significance for his art. That is the aim of this study which begins with a look at representations of the bourgeois in French literature before Flaubert and goes on to examine in detail what proves to be a more complex phenomenon than might at first sight appear.

Autorentext

The Author: Alan Raitt is Emeritus Professor of French Literature in the University of Oxford and Emeritus Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. He is responsible for numerous editions, books and articles on Flaubert.

Zusammenfassung
«Raitt's study is both academically well-argued and documented and extremely interesting. It is a very worthwhile addition to Flaubert studies.» (Leisha Ashdown- Lecointre, New Zealand Journal of French Studies)

Inhalt

Contents: The Bourgeois in French Literature before Flaubert Flaubert, Henry Monnier and Joseph Prudhomme Youth Early Works Madame Bovary Salammbô Le Château des Curs L Éducation Sentimentale Lettre à la Municipalité de Rouen Le Candidat Un Cur Simple Bouvard et Pécuchet Projets Conclusion.