In this blog post, we’ll examine the life and major works of the great French author Victor Hugo and explore how his literary world was shaped by his life experiences and the historical context of his time. How did his dream of becoming a writer begin? Victor Hugo, the great French literary figure—a novelist, poet, and playwright—was born on February 26, 1802, in Besançon, France. His...
How Should Humans Live When Confronted with Absurdity?
In this blog post, I will reflect on the meaning and meaninglessness of life, the essence of absurdity, and the significance of rebellion, freedom, and passion—the responses humans can adopt in the face of absurdity—through the lens of “The Myth of Sisyphus.” Meaning, Meaninglessness, and Absurdity While reading ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’, the first thing that catches one’s...
What Do Beaumarchais and His Comedies Tell Us?
In this blog post, I will summarize Beaumarchais’s life and major plays, focusing in particular on the plots and meanings of ‘The Barber of Seville’ and ‘The Marriage of Figaro’. Beaumarchais’s Life Beaumarchais (1732–1799) was born in Paris as the son of a watchmaker; his real name was Pierre Caron. In his youth, he frequented the royal court, working as a harp...
What message do Vercors’ life and works convey to us?
In this blog post, we’ll explore Vercors’ life, his major works, and the message of conscience and resistance he left behind. The Life of Vercors Vercors was born in Paris in 1902. His real name was Jean Bruller. He originally worked as a literary critic and sketch artist, but when Paris came under Nazi occupation during World War II, he left the city to live in seclusion in the...
Why did Montesquieu discuss freedom and the separation of powers in ‘The Spirit of the Laws’?
In this blog post, we will examine Montesquieu’s life, the legal principles outlined in ‘The Spirit of the Laws’, the separation of powers, and his thoughts on laws suited to each nation. Montesquieu (Charles de Secondat) was a French philosopher and one of the leading figures of the Enlightenment. He was born not into the “robed nobility”—those who held the position of...
Why did Montesquieu seek to discover human freedom in the relationship between law and society?
In this blog post, I will examine Montesquieu’s life, philosophical thought, unique concept of law, and his perspective on the relationship between human freedom and society through a reading of ‘The Spirit of the Laws’. Montesquieu: A Thinker with Diverse Interests Montesquieu was born on January 18, 1689, into a family of the “law nobility.” The law nobility was a class of...
Why does Molière use humor to explore human freedom and desire?
In this blog post, I’ve reflected on how Molière uses humor to explore human freedom, oppression, and inner desires, focusing on ‘The School for Wives’ and ‘The Miser’. I usually enjoy watching comedy shows on TV. When I think about why I’ve loved comedy from childhood to the present, the answer is surprisingly simple. It’s because it’s funny. It makes us laugh. I...
How did Marcel Proust create a literature of memory and time through ‘In Search of Lost Time’?
In this blog post, we will explore Marcel Proust’s life and literary world, and summarize the overall narrative arc of ‘In Search of Lost Time’ as well as the significance of time and memory in ‘Swann’s Way’. What kind of life did Marcel Proust lead? Marcel Proust was born in 1871 in La Fontaine, a suburb of Paris. As a child, Marcel often went for walks with his...
Why did Rousseau seek to find his true self in nature and solitude?
In this blog post, I will examine Rousseau’s literature and philosophy, his attitude toward nature, and his life and literary work—particularly his quest to discover his true self in solitude during his later years—with a focus on ‘The Dream of the Solitary Walker’. 18th-Century French Literature and the Emergence of Rousseau While reading ‘The Dream of the Solitary...
What Does Descartes’ “Discourse on the Method” Say?
In this blog post, I will summarize the structure and main content of Descartes’ “Discourse on the Method,” as well as the author’s life and intellectual context. Publication and Basic Information “Discourse on the Method” was first published anonymously in 1637 by the Dutch publisher Jan Maire when Descartes was 41 years old. This was Descartes’ first published work; its original full...