Biography and the Question of Literature in France

## Abstract This book explores the relations between literature and biography in France by tracing their history since the emergence of the two terms during the 18th century. This is when term ‘biographie’ first saw the light of day in the French language, and the word ‘littérature’ began to acquire its modern sense of writing marked by an aesthetic character. Arguing that the ‘idea of literature’ is inherently open to revision and contestation, the book examines the way in which biographically orientated texts have been engaged in turning literature into a question about its own definition. At the same time, it tracks the evolving forms of biographical writing in French culture, and proposes a reappraisal of biography that takes account not only of its forms, but also of its functions. The capacity of biography to intervene in debates about definitions of the literary argues for the need to consider this functional dimension of biographical writing. Although the study has important theoretical implications as regards both biography and the literary, it is intended first and foremost as a history, offering an account of the development of French literature through a dual focus on the question of literature and its relations with biography, and tracing the changing ideas about literature and chronicling the different forms taken by biography in the period. It includes readings of major authors and texts in the light of these concerns, from Rousseau to the ‘life-writing’ of contemporary authors such as Michon and Roubaud. Other authors discussed include Mme de Staël, Victor Hugo, Sainte-Beuve, Barbey d'Aurevilly, Baudelaire, Nerval, Mallarmé, Schwob, Proust, Gide, Leiris, Sartre, Genet, Barthes, and Laporte.

this Book Takes A Fresh Look At The Relations Between Literature And Biography By Tracing The History Of Their Connections Through Three Hundred Years Of French Literature. The Starting Point For This History Is The Eighteenth Century When The Term Biography First Entered The French Language And When The Word Literature Began To Acquire Its Modern Sense Of Writing Marked By An Aesthetic Character. Arguing That The Idea Of Literature Is Inherently Open To Revision And Contestation, Ann Jefferson Examines The Way In Which Biographically-orientated Texts Have Been Engaged In Questioning The Definition Of Literature. At The Same Time, She Tracks The Evolving Forms Of Biographical Writing In French Culture, And Proposes A Reappraisal Of Biography In Terms Not Only Of Its Forms, But Also Of Its Functions.

although Ann Jefferson's Book Has Powerful Theoretical Implications For Both Biography And The Literary, It Is First And Foremost A History, Offering A Comprehensive New Account Of The Development Of French Literature Through This Dual Focus On The Question Of Literature And On The Relations Between Literature And Biography. It Offers Original Readings Of Major Authors And Texts In The Light Of These Concerns, Beginning With Rousseau And Ending With Life-writing Contemporary Authors Such As Pierre Michon And Jacques Roubaud. Other Authors Discussed Include Mme De Stäel, Victor Hugo, Sainte-beuve, Barbey D'aurevilly, Baudelaire, Nerval, Mallarmé, Schwob, Proust, Gide, Leiris, Sartre, Genet, Barthes, And Roger Laporte.

This book takes a fresh look at the relations between literature and biography by tracing the history of their connections through three hundred years of French literature. The starting point for this history is the eighteenth century when the term'biography'first entered the French language and when the word'literature'began to acquire its modern sense of writing marked by an aesthetic character. Arguing that the idea of literature is inherently open to revision and contestation, Ann Jefferson examines the way in which biographically-orientated texts have been engaged in questioning and revising definitions of literature. At the same time, she tracks the evolving forms of biographical writing in French culture, and proposes a reappraisal of biography in terms not only of its forms, but also of its functions. Although Ann Jefferson's book has powerful theoretical implications for both biography and the literary, it is first and foremost a history, offering a comprehensive new account of the development of French literature through this dual focus on the question of literature and on the relations between literature and biography. It offers original readings of major authors and texts in the light of these concerns, beginning with Rousseau and ending with'life-writing'contemporary authors such as Pierre Michon and Jacques Roubaud. Other authors discussed include Mme de Stäel, Victor Hugo, Sainte-Beuve, Barbey d'Aurevilly, Baudelaire, Nerval, Mallarmé, Schwob, Proust, Gide, Leiris, Sartre, Genet, Barthes, and Roger Laporte. "This book cakes a fresh look at the relations between literature and biography by tracing the history of their connections through three hundred years of French literature. The starting point for this history is the eighteenth century when the term 'biography' first entered the French language and when the word 'literature' began to acquire its modern sense of writing marked by an aesthetic character."--Jacket Containing critical readings of some major French authors in the light of the evolving relations between biography and literature, this book offers a history of French literature over a 300-year period, and also a discussion of biography - its forms, history, and functions The issue of the relation between literature and biography is one which has elicited surprisingly decided views from the many people who have chosen to express them, whether with respect to a particular writer or work, or as a matter of general theoretica