Three French Moralists and the Gallantry of Fran
The book examines the concept of gallantry in 17th-century France through the works and lives of three prominent moralists: François de La Rochefoucauld, Jacques Esprit, and Antoine Gombaud. It explores how these thinkers critiqued the excesses of courtly life and the aristocracy's moral decay, while also acknowledging the importance of politeness and courtesy in social interactions. The author argues that this tension between morality and manners shaped the development of French literature and culture during this period.
By Edmund Gosse · First published 1919 · Genre: Biography, History, Philosophy · 4 chapters · 47,226 words
First lines
One of the most gifted of the young officers who gave their lives for France at the beginning of the war, Quartermaster Paul Lintier, in the admirable notes which he wrote on his knee at intervals during the battle of the Meuse in August 1914, said --
"The imperative instinct for making the best you can of life, the sentiment of duty, and anxiety for the good opinion of others, in a word _honour_ -- these are the main educators of the soldier under fire. This is not a discovery, it is simply a personal statement."
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Three French Moralists and the Gallantry of France is listed on Textopian as an essay by Edmund Gosse, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Edmund Gosse
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, History, Philosophy, Literary Criticism
- Length: 47,226 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 371 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Biography — The work provides detailed accounts of the lives and moral philosophies of three French moralists.
- History — The book delves into the historical context of France during the time of the three moralists, making it a historical account.
- Philosophy — The book explores the moral philosophies of the three French moralists, categorizing it under philosophy.
- Literary Criticism — The author critically analyzes the works and philosophies of the three moralists, making it a work of literary criticism.
Tags
French literature · moral philosophy · gallantry · 17th century · literary analysis · ethics · cultural history · French moralists · social commentary · literary criticism · historical context · character studies
Contents
- LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
- THE GALLANTRY OF FRANCE
- LA BRUYERE
- VAUVENARGUES