Jean-Jaques Rousseau

Quote:
"Tant que les hommes se contentèrent de leurs cabanes rustiques, tant qu'ils se bornèrent à coudre leurs habits de peaux avec des épines ou des aretes, à se parer de plumes et de coquillages, à se peindre le corps de diverses couleurs, à perfectionner ou embellir leurs arcs et leurs flèches, à tailler avec des peirres tranchantes quelques canots de pecheurs ou quelques grossiers instruments de musique; en un mot, tant qu'ils ne s'appliquèrent qu'à des arts qui n'avaient pas besoins du concours de plusieurs mains, ils vécurent libres, sains, bons et heureux, autant qu'ils pouvaient l'etre par leur nature, et continuèrent à jouir entre eux des douceurs d'un commerce indépendant: Mais dès l'instant qu'un homme eut besoin du secours d'un autre, dès qu'on s'aperçut qu'il était utile à un seul d'avoir des provisions pour deux, l'égalité disparut, la propriété s'introduisit, le travail devint nécessaire, et les vastes forets se changèrent en des campagnes riantes qu'il fallut arroser de la sueur des hommes, et dans lesquelles on vit bientot l'ésclavage et la misère germer et croitre avec les moissons."

Synopsis:
Written in 1752 in response to a subject entitled: "What is the origin of inequality among men and if it is authorized by natural law?" Rousseau refers to the human state of nature. He said that man in the state of nature is opposed to civil rights in many ways. He believed that men naturally would be much better off then the socialized man. He believed that as men worked for himself, all lived happy and free. Once men started working together however, equality disappeared, which lead to un-happiness and slavery.

Readers Response:
I found Rousseau's writting and philosophy to be very unique. I can see why other's such as Voltaire put Rousseau under so much scrutiny for the topic. Although I don't totally agree with his thoughts on the start of inequality, I did find his style of writing to be very intriguing and sparked interest in my own thoughts of inequality. This was a very controversial topic that Rousseau dared to speak about and I though it was a very interesting point of view.

Montesquieu

Quote: "Le roi de France est le plus puissant prince de l'Europe. Il n'a point de mines d'or comme le roi d'Espagne son voisin; mais il a plus de richesses que lui, parce qu'il les tire de la vanité de ses sujets, plus inépuisable que les mines. On lui a vu entreprendre ou soutenir de grandes guerres, n'ayant d'autres fonds que des titres d'honneur à vendre; et, par un prodige de l'orgueil humain, ses troupes se trouvaient payées, ses places munies, et ses flottes équipées."

Synopsis: The concept behind Lettres persan is a Persian visiting France and writing letters to back home about what he encounters, which is basically just a vehicle for Montesquieu to ridicule society, government, Christianity, and the French.

In De l'Esprit des lois, as the title suggests, Montesquieu describes the nature of law and the reason and necessity behind it. He then describes three major types of government: republic, monarchy, and despotism.

Response: The Lettres persan were very enjoyable to read since they were so chock full of satire. They reminded me of C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, (I highly recommend it if you haven't read it!) because of the format and the critical content. I wonder if Lewis was inspired by Lettres persan.

I found De l'Esprit des lois fascinating in that it was written from the perspective of one who had only ever lived in a monarchy. Living in the US, we're taught from birth that democracy is the only way to go and that all other forms of government are inferior or outdated or something, but Montesquieu finds fault with all major forms of government and I think he's completely right. Don't get me wrong, I'd definitely rather be living in a republic than in a tyranny, but if the politicians and public servants running the republic are corrupt then it's no better than other types of government. I was also impressed that Montesquieu had such insight into the nature of law and into different forms of government without having experienced them firsthand.

La Fontaine

Quote:
"Mon bon Monsieur, apprenez que tout flatteur vit aux depens de celui qui l'ecoute: cette lecon vaut bien un fromage, sans doute."

Synopsis:
Les Fables generally talk about the different characters of animals and also a little bit of the nature. Some animals think that they are smarter than others.

Reader's response:
I thought La Fontaine's style of writing is different from the other ones we have read and discussed in class so far. it seems to me that his interest is animals, talking about their characters, the nature and not so much of humans. I felt like I didn't get anything from Fables. It was too dry for me.

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Quote:  "On ne donne rien si liberalement que ses conseils."

Synopsis:  The ultimate quotation book . . . or a collection of some of the maxims from the pen of La Rochefoucauld.  The topics broadly cover the general themes of vanity, jealousy, love, selfishness, justice, praise, hope, hypocrisy, and integrity.

Reader's Response: The genius in La Rochefoucauld's work lies in the uniting of brevity, clarity, fulness of meaning and point.  Although the maxims tend to be a bit sardonic, they are not dark epigrams, but realistic, if cynical platitudes; they are concise, candid sermons on the broad facets of human nature.

Blaise Pascal

Quote: Divertissement. Les hommes n'ayant pu guérir la mort, la misère, l'ignorance, ils se sont avisés, pour se rendre heureux, de n'y point penser.

Synopsis: Les Pensées. Pascal explains the many things that influence our thoughts. Like stated in the beginning, the majesty of man is like an eternal lamp that lights the universe. Thoughts effect everything that we do and are. He talks about our reason, and when it is deceived our thoughts are also deceived. Our imagination can be a great aid to us, and also it can be deceiving.
Le mystère de Jésus. Here Pascal speaks of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and his sufferings for all. He speaks of the mercy of God, and its importance for us. Then he has a pacifying conversation with Jesus.

Readers Response: I really liked reading the thoughts and opinions of Pascal. You can really see how his religion influenced him and his writings. He gave some great insights into imagination that were very interesting. And in the mystery of Jesus you can even feel his search for a peace and mercy as he talks about and with Jesus.

Madame De Lafayette- La Princesse De Cleves

La Princesse De Cleves

Je vais vous faire un aveu que l'on n'a jamais fait a un mari; mais l'innocence de ma conduite et de mes intentions m'en donne la force.....

Synopsis: The princess in the story is married to a man who she admires but is not in love with. She meets a different man at a party who she falls in love. When she starts acting weird her husband confronts her and she admits she loves someone else. Her husband though touched by her devotion to him and her ability to not touch cannot help but get mad and jealous of the new man. He ends up dying and she goes into a convent.

Reaction: I actually loved this story. I was inspired by her ability to remain loyal to her husband and a little sad that he admitted to still loving her after she told him the truth. I wish it could have ended a little happier but oh well. It was an example to me of how much love can hurt if it is not returned by the person you love. I also wonder how they ended up getting married in the first place? Did she think she would develop love later?

Madame de Sevigne

Quote: "Mais, ma pauvre bonne, ce que je ferai beaucoup mieux que tout cela c'est de penser a vous".

Synopsis: I found madame Sevigne perspective on life to be like most females. She loves her daughter, she gossips a little, and she loves nature and it beautiful colors. She clings to these beautiful things because they are all she has.

Reader's Response: I thought that her writting gave us an insight on how France was at the time. These letters seem to reflect her belief in God, her love for her daughter, and I find them to be very genuine. She loves to talk with her daughter and tell her of all the beauty she see's around her. I think she uses these things in nature to describe her love for her daughter. She also writes these letters of deep thinking to those in her social circle. I found them to be good letters and that's all I have to say about them.

Le Bourgeois gentilhomme III

Quote: "Que ne fait-on pas pour etre grand'dame?"


Synopsis: Dorimene and Dorante come to the Jourdain home to be entertained in principle without Madame Jourdain knowing.  However, she has already suspected her husband of mischief and calls him and his guests on the carpet.  Doriante and Dorimene prove to be well-suited for each other.  Meanwhile Cleonte and Covielle conspire to fool M. Jourdain into accepting Cleonte's marrying Jourdain's daughter.  The ruse involves the staging of a play of sorts -- a grand prince from Turkey has fallen for Lucille and wishes to marry her, yet M. Jourdain must be "made worthy" to give his daughter in marriage to this mysterious turkish prince.  For this to happen he must pass through a ridiculous invention of a ceremony called "Mamamouchi."  In the course of events everyone, except M. Jourdain, realizes the true identity of the characters and the ultimate objective of this farce, and hence they all conspire to bring about this marriage . . .  and two others to boot (since the notary will be there).


Reader's response:  Moliere's genius rises from integrating his keen observations of human character into a comedic setting.  He's always astutely aware of people blinded by their obsessions.  In the case for Monsieur Jourdain, his obsession -- that of rising to a higher social rung -- is pressed to its limits as we see him subjected to an absurd rite to make him worthy of offering his daughter in marriage to a complete stranger.  Of course the play ends well with the combined marriages of three couples (interestingly all from different social ranking), but what a dangerous vice to have -- to desire to be someone you're not and to go to such foolish extremes in order to achieve it.
In the end, what could Moliere be recommending?  I propose that he is suggesting that obsession finds its roots in unhappiness (which we all experience at some time or another), but to protect ourselves from the vices that come with obsession, we must turn to the examples of other characters in the play, namely Madame Jourdain and even Cleonte.  They clearly recognized their lot in life and accepted and embraced it, even in the face of upsets and oppositions to their personal interests.

Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme II

Quote:
Mme. Jourdain-"Pour moi, je suis scandalisée de la vie que vous menez. Je ne sais plus ce que c'est que notre maison. On dirait qu'il est céans carème-prenant tous les jours; et dès le matin, de peur d'y manquer, on y entend des vacarmes de violons ou de chanteurs dont tout le voisinage se trouve incommodé."

Synopsis:
M. Jourdain continues to follow the insights of his entourage that only wish to take his money. He dresses and acts in a way that he believes will allow him to become like "les gentilhommes" and will help him to win the heart of la marquise. Although he is blind to what is going on, his wife can see right through the teachers and so-called friends of M. Jourdain. She knows that they are only using him and will soon take it all.
We are also introduces to Cléonte, who is from the working class and is in love with the daughter or M. Jourdain but is not given her hand in marriage because he is not of a noble birthright.

Readers Response:
I am loving this play! I find myself laughing out loud at the stupidity of M. Jourdain. Is he so intrigued with this desire to be seen as someone he is not that he cannot even see what is happening right before his eyes? I love it because this same thing is still happening in our day. We see people all of the time loosing everything they have in pursuit of living the dream or living beyond their means. I can't wait to see how everything plays out.

Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme

Quote:
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN Non, vous dis-je, je ne veux que ces seules paroles-là dans le billet; mais tournées à la mode, bien arrangées comme il faut. Je vous prie de me dire un peu, pour voir, les diverses manières dont on les peut mettre.

MAÎTRE DE PHILOSOPHIE.- On les peut mettre premièrement comme vous avez dit: Belle Marquise, vos beaux yeux me font mourir d'amour. Ou bien: D'amour mourir me font, belle Marquise, vos beaux yeux. Ou bien: Vos yeux beaux d'amour me font, belle Marquise, mourir. Ou bien: Mourir vos beaux yeux, belle Marquise, d'amour me font. Ou bien: Me font vos yeux beaux mourir, belle Marquise, d'amour.

MONSIEUR JOURDAIN.- Mais de toutes ces façons-là, laquelle est la meilleure?

MAÎTRE DE PHILOSOPHIE.- Celle que vous avez dite: Belle Marquise, vos beaux yeux me font mourir d'amour.

MONSIEUR JOURDAIN.- Cependant je n'ai point étudié, et j'ai fait cela tout du premier coup. Je vous remercie de tout mon cœur, et vous prie de venir demain de bonne heure.

Synopsis:
The various teachers of Monsieur Jourdain start the play in telling us that while Monsuieur Jourdain is spending enormous amounts of money to seem better cultured and appear like a true "personne de qualite", he is fact quite the fool and is making no progress whatsoever in his desires. Upon his entrance, each of the teachers take turns in instructing Monsieur Jourdain a various art, but ultimatley end up fighting with one another over who teaches the greater artform. We also find out that Monsieur Jourdain has feelings for the Marquise Dorminene.

Reader's response:
I thought it was quite comical that the teachers called Monsieur Jourdain such a fool when they were just as silly in thier overdramatic views of their sacred art forms. I also was amused in seeing the continuity of each character. For example, the music teacher was by far more interested in keeping his pockets full of money, so each time Monsieur Jourdain asked for an opinion of his progress, the music instucor chimed in saying "Vous faites des merveilles."

Le Cid part III

Quote: "Ton père est satisfait, et c'étoit le venger que mettre tant de fois ton Rodrigue en danger. Tu vois comme le ciel autrement en dispose. Ayant tant fait pour lui, fais pour toi quelque chose..."

Synopsis: Don Rodrigue has returned from war victorious and was given the name "Le Cid" which is a transliteration of an Arabic word for "Lord." Most notably, he captured two Arab kings. The king wants to discover Chimène's true feelings about Rodrigue and Sanche, but she is intent on hiding them out of shame and for the vengence she feels. The king decides that Don Sanche should duel Rodrigue for her father's honor, and whoever wins also wins Chimène's hand in marriage. Rodrigue is happy to die to satisfy vengence and honor but Chimène tells him that after defeating her father and the Arabs, she expects more from him. Finally, after Don Sanche pretends to have defeated Rodrigue and Chimène becomes very upset, her true feelings are clear to everyone and the king tells her that her father's honor has been satisfied by now and she should marry the one she truly loves.

Reader's Response: I could feel the passion in the words a lot more in this final reading than I did before, and I think that was because the story and the characters were at their most developed point, but also because I made a more conscious effort in reading to think about how the lines would be heard and delivered on stage. It really made the text come alive for me- all the conflict Chimène felt, the honor and duty felt by Rodrigue, and the light-hearted and well-intentioned antics of the king in trying to discover Chimène's true feelings.

Le Cid

Quote: "L'affaire est d'importance, et, bien consideree,
Merite en plein conseil d'etre deliberee."

Synopsys: It's clear that Chimene was having a hard time whether or not to revenge of the crime, arguing back and forth with Don Rodrigue. Chimene expressed her lamentation, broken heart and anger, both in a tender and harsh way. On the other hand, Don Rodrigue tried to defend the crime. In some ways he admited how bad the crime was. In addition, he even tried to steer Chimene to revenge. They exchanged some harsh words. Elivre, somehow, kind of played a role of a mediator in the midst of the story. The argument between Don Rodrigue and Chimene continued, but toward the end Chimene made it clear that she had enough and didn't wan to deal with it anymore. She repeatedly told Don Rodrigue to go away and not to speak anymore.

Reader's response: I like what Chimene said: "Malgre des feux si beaux, qui troublent ma colere, je ferai mon possible a bien venger mon pere; Mais malgre la rigueur d'un si cruel devoir, Mon unique souhait est de ne rien pouvoir." Though the story was sad, it was fascinating. Death is something that is hard for a humans to overcome. On the other hand, it is hard to restrain from revenge.

Le Cid par Corneille (actes i - actes ii, scene iv)

Quote:
"Et l'on peut me reduire a vivre sans bonheur,
Mais non pas me resoudre a vivre sans honneur."

Synopsis:
acte i: It's clear from the start that Chimene, although pursued by two men, prefers don Rodrigue.  Meanwhile the father of don Rodrigue has been given authority and honors from the king, thereby snubbing the Comte (Chimene's father).  For the king's slight, the Comte punishes don Diegue who is don Rodrigue's father.  First the Comte insults him, then in turn is insulted by don Diegue.  The verbal abuse culminates with the Comte slapping don Diegue -- an injury to the family's pride and honor, not taken lightly: Don Rodrigue must choose between his family allegiance or his romantic desires, because his father enlists him to right this wrong (in other words, kill the Comte).  Don Rodrigue is virtuous and chooses the greater cause (honor over heart): "Je dois tout a mon pere avant qu'a ma maitresse."
acte ii:  Don Arias tries to reason with the Comte to no avail.  This interchange reveals how arrogant and stubborn the Comte is, which in part justifies don Rodrigue's subsequent murder.  Of course, this act (performed by her lover) engages Chimene in a pursuit of her own familial retribution, requesting the blood of the man she loves.
Reader's response:
What an exposition!  Corneille has set up an amazing situation where both don Rodrigue and Chimene must make choices that pit their passion and sentimental interests of the heart against honor.  At this point it appears that honor will bear sway, but undoubtedly the playwright will try to put the imbalance of justice back into place.  How will he accomplish this?  It seems impossible at this point, but the unlikeliness gives us as readers earned respect for the author if he successfully pulls this off.

Discours de la Méthode

Quote: Pour moi, je n'ai jamais présumé que mon esprit fût en rien plus parfait que ceux du commun;

Synopsis: René Descartes gives us many of his philosophical ideas. Many taken from his own schooling, and other life experiences. He is very descriptive in portraying his outlooks. For example in the second part he states, "Mais, comme un homme qui marche seul et dans les ténèbres . . . " Religion and God play a big part in his writings.

Reader's Response: Reading his idea's and his outlook on life was very interesting. It wasn't as easy to read as some of the other texts from the Renaissance and Middle Ages. His different philosophies especially make you really think.