Les Contemporains, 3ème Série / Études et Portraits Littéraires

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Gutenberg ID

25378

Title

Les Contemporains, 3ème Série / Études et Portraits Littéraires

Language

fr

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this third volume of his literary portraits, Jules Lemaître offers a nostalgic and critical survey of his contemporaries. He praises Octave Feuillet for his timeless, aristocratic romanticism, contrasts the playful wit of Joséphin Soulary with the moral intensity of Paul Bourget, and reflects on the unique burdens of princely life through the Duke of Aumale. A collection of essays celebrating the distinct voices of late 19th-century French letters.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Les Contemporains, 3ème Série*, Jules Lemaître offers a richly textured survey of French literary figures, balancing aesthetic admiration with philosophical reflection. He begins by defending Octave Feuillet against the tide of emerging realism. Lemaître argues that Feuillet’s novels are not obsolete but rather preserve the essential 'romanesque' quality—a realm of invention, idealized beauty, and aristocratic dreams that stands in contrast to Balzac’s gritty realism. For Lemaître, Feuillet is a descendant of the great 17th-century romance writers, crafting stories where love, heroism, and noble sacrifice reign supreme, offering a necessary moral refuge from a harsh reality. Lemaître then turns to Joséphin Soulary, a poet from Lyon whose work is defined by intricate allegories and a delicate, almost feminine elegance. Unlike the cutthroat competition of Parisian literary life, Soulary’s provincial setting allows him to cultivate a unique style rooted in the traditions of the Pléiade and the précieux. His poetry, characterized by playful wit and complex conceits, reflects a gentle, introspective nature that flourishes away from the pressures of the capital. The volume shifts to a contemplation on the condition of princes, specifically the Duke of Aumale. Lemaître explores the paradox of princely existence: while it grants a connection to history and a sense of superiority, it imposes severe restrictions on personal freedom. Princes are described as 'slaves to their names,' unable to fully engage with the common human experience or express controversial ideas without compromising their status. They live in a restricted world, isolated from the full spectrum of human emotion and intellectual exploration available to the common citizen. Finally, Lemaître analyzes Paul Bourget, a young writer whose novels delve deeply into the psychology of conscience and moral responsibility. Through characters like Armand de Querne in *Crime d'amour*, Bourget examines the struggle between intellectual detachment and the capacity for love and redemption. Lemaître admires Bourget’s ability to blend scientific analysis with profound emotion, predicting a future shift toward mysticism and a broader humanism in his work. The volume serves as a tribute to the diversity of French literature, balancing admiration for romantic ideals with a sober reflection on the constraints of social position and the enduring power of the human soul.

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Categories

• Biography
• French Literature