Libertine Fiction Charts the Decline of the Aristocracy in France - Coursework Example

Fiction depicts the ethos of the age in which it is written. Sometimes it completely reflects the age with all its socio-cultural aspects and moral and religious temperaments. Eighteenth century in France is a transitional period when French Revolution challenged all the symbols of previous aristocratic and bourgeois society and supported a new culture of liberty , equality and fraternity . The realm of literature narrated the story of the time and laid before the readers the society of France of that time. The ascendancy and decline of aristocracy in that period and their frivolous pursuits found their depiction in a specific literary form which is named as Libertine fiction. This type of fiction dominated the literary scene in 18th Century and got popular acclaim in aristocratic society of France. Libertine Fiction Libertine fiction characterizes erotic themes, immoral activities and pleasure seeking on the part of the protagonist. Libertines were defined in three senses: the persons following no moral code, pleasure seekers and devoid of any sense of chastity. The fiction depicting the exploits of such characters is libertine fiction. Eighteen century in France shows the acclaim and popularity of this type of fiction. An interesting development taking place at that time was the moral depravity of aristocratic class of France .Such literary form suited to such themes. So both became part and parcel of each otherGoulmet (1998) in his article gives a detailed definition of this new genre. In novels, libertinage took the form of multiple amorous adventures featuring scenes of seduction, an appetite for pleasure and a total disregard for the social rules governing love affairs.In libertine prose fiction, which basically dates back to the writings of Crebillon fils, it was as if the hero— with his liberated sexual desire and without the slightest regard for the rules nor the slightest care for the moral values of the society or religion— were putting into practice the teachings of erutdite libertines as expressed in their attacks on fundamental religious doctrine.(Toward a Definition of Libertine Fiction and Pornographic Novels,p 136) Anti-Cleric attitude in Libertine Fiction According Goulmet (1998) anti-cleric attitude also becomes favourite tone of the Libertine writers. In Eighteenth century libertine fiction the expression got freedom and the previously clandestine techniques gave way to rather direct attacks on religion and clergy. Formely secret practices that had been carried out in various aristocractic circles (experiments on religious relics and the Blessed sacrament,grotesque performances of scenes from the life of Christ under the name of Brioche, violent attacks on the clergy and religious rituals) became subject matter for libertine writers..The violent attacks on clergy and religious rituals become subject matter for libertine writers.( Toward a Definition of Libertine Fiction and Pornographic Novels,p 136) The political disposition of Europe in general and France in particular is aristocratic. The ascendancy of aristocratic class is evident .This means that in most countries in Europe an aristocracy of birth, wealth or legal status was able to exercise a disproportionate influence over the lives of their fellow men, either as governors and magistrates, as manorial lords , as monopolists of high office in army, church and state, or merely in their way of life or their opportunities for cultural attainment and foreign travel. According to Rude(1972) this was the class that French phlisophe, The Abbe Rayanal , had in mind when he wrote in 1170 that ‘ in all states of Europe, there are sort of men who assume from their infancy a pre-eminence independent of their moral character’. Such aristocratic fiction and its themes have been elaborately discussed in Dipiero’s book Dangerous Ttruths & Criminal passions: the Evolution of the French Novel(1992). Difference between Libertine Novel and Pornographic novel Generally Libertine Novel and Pornographic Novel are confused and are thought as belonging to that same category. But according Goulment (1998) they belong to two different categories. He argues, “Contemporaries tended to group all of Crebillon’s novels under the heading of libertine fiction (people generally referred to them as ‘ribald’ or ‘ spicy’ as Malesherbes did), but they are by no means all the same. It is impossible to cofuse Les egarement du Coeur et de l’esprit (1736) with La Sopha (1742) or La nuit et le moment ou les matinees de Cythere (1736, published 1755),or even with Le hazard du coin du feu.Dialogue moral(1763).Similary , Crebillon is not Laclos and vicomte de Valmont is not the Chevalier de Faublas.( Toward a Definition of Libertine Fiction and Pornographic Novels,p 137) Discussion on novels and their libertine episodes and characters Set in the background of aristocratic society of 18th centrury, the novel depicts debauchery, moral degradation, penchant for scandals and unscruplous behaviour of the rich bourgeois of France. Marquise de Merteuil has feeling of boredome and ennui and in a try to bring some merriment in her life devises a plot to blemish the chastity of Cecile. She involves her former lover Vicomte de Valmont in her insidious intrigue. Both are bent upon seducing and beguiling a young girl of a reputable family who has just left convent and aspires to marry Comte Gercourt. The intriguers also aim at bringing scandalous humiliation for Gercourt.Vicomte is already engaged in seducing a chaste lady who is the wife of the Member of Parliament. But Valmount always wallows in accepting these challenges.To vanquish the fortified wills of the chaste ladies is his favourite sport. Marquise challenges Vlmount in this adventure as well and offers herself as a bounty if he succeeds in presenting a valid written proof of his ravishing the chaste and religious Presidente. Cecile is introduced to society and in society she has an encounter with Chevalier Danceny which culminates in their love affair. Danceny becomes her music teacher and Marquise fascilites the amorous, clandestine meetings of the lovers. Valmount is up on another venture of concquering Presidente. He comes across a letter written by Cecile’s mother to Presidente de Tourvel. In this correspondence she confides some slanderous things about Valmount to Presidente. Flared up at this he makes a vow to demolish the reputation of the family and determines to ravish the innocent girl— Cecile. Valmount uder the cover of student-teacher relationship succeeds in seducing the girl and develops a sexual liaison with her. He also wins the love of Presidente. But the malicious, heartless Marquise charges Valmount of becoming vanquished rather than a vanquisher. Taking this as a blot to his male egoism , Valmount leaves Presidente . Presidente joins convent where she dies out of grief and shame. Dacaney after knowing the secret liaison between Cecile and Valmount is furious and Challenges Valmount to duel. Dacaney wins this duel and on his death-bed Valmount reveals his secret relationship with Marquise and exposes her evil nature by presenting the letters written by her. The society comes to know about the devilish and malicious and immorality of the woman. She is thrown out of the town for her wickedness . Cecile in order to wash away the blot of shame and regret resumes her stay t convent and vows to be a nun. In Manon Lescaut The protagonist Chevalier Des Grieux is an offspring of a noble and landed aristocratic family. He takes Manon Lescaut as his lover. Under the evil influence of Lescaut he spends his wealth lavishly and to the disappointment of his family runs away with Manon to enjoy a passionate and sexual cohabitation. But he fails to come up to the expectations of his lover who has an inordinate taste for luxury and sumptuous living. Her demands force Des Grieux to tread on the path of depravity and degradation. He borrows unscrupulously from his faithful chum Tiberge and indulges in cheap gambling tricks. But untoward happenings like theft and house fire deprive the aristocrat from his money and as a result Manon loses interest in him and thinks of searching a new lover with a hefty fortune. The situation prompts the lovers to move to new world free from the ensnares of the wealth and charms of city life. Their endevour to live in the idyllic surroundings of New Orleans to flee from the wickedness of the metropolis fails when they go to the governor to be married .The Governor’s son sets eye on Manon and wants to win her love. De Grieux taking this as a serious blot on his honour and egoism challenges him to duel .The governor’s son is vanquished and the couple in fear of consequences run away from the place. Their destination is Louisiana and they hope to reach some neighbouring English settlement. But the adventure asks for heavy toll .Manon dies leaving the lover alone in this world .The hero returns to France and resorts to religion and in a bid for repentance seeks ultimate salvation in the religion. A close study of both the novels brings about certain common characteristics of Libertine fiction .The instances of these characteristics have been given in the following lines. 1: Aristocracy of the Characters Most of the characters belong to nobility with few exceptions from the lower and middle class. The aristocracy was taken as the symbol of wealth noble manners and good natured ness. This was the classical concept of aristocracy which we find absent in the novels.As the aristocracy has succumbed to moral corruption. But it is reflected in the very attitude of the characters: The graceful manner and heartfelt gratitude with which the young unknown thanked me, confirmed my notion that he was of good birth and merited my kindness. (Mannon Lescout , p 5) 1: Pleasure Seeking The chief aim of the libertine characters of these novels is seeking pleasure. What you call happiness is nothing but a tumult in the mind, a tempest of passion, frightful to behold even for the spectator on the shore. (Letter fifty-six). Marquise’s allurements to Vicomte. ...pleasure, which is undeniably the sole motive force behind the union of the sexes, is nevertheless not enough to form a bond between them...even if it is preceded by desire which impels, it is succeeded by disgust which repels. This is a law of nature which only love can change.(Letter 139). 2: Anti religious The works that followed in the eighteenth century circulated clandestinely, and all the veils had been removed. These works “ Stand as a proof that antireligious discourse had become straight forward and unequivocal, and that the assaults that were being launched against religious dogma were now frontal. (Goulemot, p 135). The characters have no regard for religious rites. Rather they enjoy in such relationships as are forbidden in their religion. "Our project of marriage was forgotten at St. Denis; we defrauded the Church of her rights; and found ourselves united as man and wife without reflecting on the consequences. (Manon Lescout p 10). Laclos shows such comments of the character which show their disregard for religion. open coqueterie can maintain a defense for longer than the most ascetic virtue.(letter ninety nine). In the above given lines Vicomte seems to suggest that it was religious prudery of Presidente that led her to ultimate seduction. 4: Pride in Class Pride in class in the characters belonging to aristocarcy in Laclos and Prevoust. Even the low classes feels staisfaction in rubbing shoulders with aristocracy. As the De Greutix says about her lover’s reaction on hearing that he belongs to a noble family. She would insist on hearing who I was, and the knowledge only augmented her affection; for, being herself of humble birth, she was flattered by securing for her lover a man of family. (Mannon Lescout, p8) 5: Immorality Manon and Marquise are immoral .Goulmet (1998) suggests that Libertines are the characters who follow no moral code. Such characters have no concept of social and religious morality and they are highly self-centered. Marquise and Vicomte show the immorality prevalent in aristocractic circle. These characters have evil influence on other characters as well.The evil influence can turn angels like Presidente and Cecil into pernicious devils. 6: Intrigues Intrigue is the cherished activity of the nobility in France in 18th Century. The are always engaged in gossips and marring the reputes of other. Marquise’ entertainment is to make plans for carving out amorous encounters of the people. Manon in her quest for money indulges intriguing relationship with big guns and decives her lover. As discussed above, libertinism and aristocracy were the common subject of the Libertine fiction. There could be two reasons for the writers to employ in the specific kind of genre to express their ideas. Firstly, the moral corruption of the nobility may be the stimulus that might have goaded them to expose them in their stories. Some critics have suggested that novel Les Liaison Dangerous became the cause of French Revolution. But that seems to be a too sweeping statement as revolution does not occur due to the influence of just one book. But It goes without saying that Libertine fiction served as an eye-opener for Eighteen Century France and acquainted them with the frivolities that were the cherished pursuit of their aristocratic class. This awareness perhaps resulted in resentment of the mob and they waged a revolution against them and overthrown them.The end of the deprave Marquise symbolically represent the rejection of the declining aristocracty.The aristocracy is also facing political as well as economic decline. As it can be seen in the novels that nobility has no strong political influence. The ultimate doom of the nobility is predictable as the characters show aristocracy’s unscrupulous march toward the depth of moral and political decay. Bibliography DiPero ,T.(1992).Dangerous Ttruths & Criminal passions: the Evolution of the French Novel.Stanford,California:Stanford University Press. Goulmet J.M, GreenSpan,A.Toward a Definition of Libertine Fiction and Pornographic Novels.Libertinage and modernity. (pp133-145). Yale University. Ruede, G. F.E.(1972).Europe in the Eighteenth Century: Aristocracy and the Bourgeois Challenge.London:Weidenfeld and Nicolson. Read More