The Captive by Marcel Proust (1913)
The Captive is the fifth volume of Marcel Proust's seven-part novel, In Search of Lost Time. It follows the narrator, Marcel, as he continues to explore his relationships with the people in his life, including his beloved Albertine. The novel begins with Marcel's return to Paris after a long absence. He is reunited with his friends, and his love for Albertine is rekindled. However, Marcel is plagued by jealousy and insecurity, and he begins to suspect that Albertine is having an affair with another woman. He decides to keep her under close watch, and his suspicions eventually lead to a confrontation between the two. The novel follows Marcel as he struggles to come to terms with his feelings for Albertine, and his attempts to control her. He is torn between his love for her and his fear of losing her, and his obsession with her leads him to increasingly desperate measures. The Captive is a powerful exploration of love, jealousy, and obsession, and it is considered one of the most important works of modern literature.
By Marcel Proust · First published 1913 · Genre: Modernist Literature, Realism, Romance · 3 chapters
Contents
- Chapter 1: Life With Albertine
- Chapter 2: The Verdurins Quarrel with M
- Chapter 3: Flight of Albertine