French Literature Flashcards
Golden age of French Literature
17th Century
France became the dominant power in Europe, reaching the peak of absolute monarchy under the reign of ______.
King Louis XIV
Art’s for Arts Sake
Theophile Gautier
Father of French Essay
Michele de Montaigne
wrote The Social Contract, a framework for understanding political legitimacy and creating a just society.
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Popularized the term “ return to nature” and believed that nature is master
Jean Jacques Rousseau
He is considered as the MOST IMPORTANT of the French Romantic writers
Victor Hugo
A monumental novel depicting the struggles of various characters against the backdrop of post-revolutionary France. It explores themes of justice, love, and redemption.
“Les Misérables”
Set in medieval Paris, this novel tells the story of the deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo and his love for the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda.
“The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”
The MOST INFLUENTIAL French novelist of the 19th century
Gustave Flaubert
A novel about Emma Bovary, a farmer’s wife who seeks escape from her mundane life through romantic fantasies and started to have an affair, ultimately faces tragic consequences.
“Madame Bovary”
renowned for his short stories. His stories often depict the intricacies of human nature and social dynamics with clarity and precision.
Guy de Maupassant
The story follows Madame Mathilde Loisel, who borrows a diamond necklace to attend a high-society event. After losing the necklace and living in poverty to replace it, she discovers years later that the necklace was a fake. The story is known for its twist ending and its exploration of themes like vanity, social status, and the irony of fate.
“The Necklace”
National epic of France
“The Song of Roland” (La Chanson de Roland).
an epic poem from the 11th century that tells the story of Roland, a brave knight in Charlemagne’s army. Set during the wars between Charlemagne and the Moors, it focuses on the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. The poem highlights themes of bravery, loyalty, and the conflict between Christians and Muslims.
“The Song of Roland” (La Chanson de Roland).
