116-018 Classical and Contemporary Novel

116-133 French I: Contemporary French B and 116-134 French I: Language in Context II. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first year European studies, see Prerequisites.

In this subject students will study a selection of novels from the 17th to the 20th centuries, analysing their narrative structures, and developing an awareness of their social and political contexts. Various theories of narrative will be used to facilitate an understanding of the evolution of the French novel. At the end of this subject students should be able to analyse the narrative structure of various novels; show a knowledge of the evolution of prose narration in French literature; demonstrate critical awareness of the social, political and ideological context of each novel. The subject will be taught in French.

• be able to analyse the narrative structure of various novels;

• demonstrate critical awareness of the social, political and ideological context of novels.

A classpaper of 1600 words 35%, an essay of 2400 words in French 55% and a class test 10%.

• Madame de la Fayette, La Princesse de Clèves. Gallimard 1955.
• Diderot, Le Neveu de Rameau. Gallimard 1971.
• Balzac, Le Lys dans la Vallée. Gallimard 1951.
• Stendhal, Le Rouge et le Noir. Gallimard 1955.
• Flaubert, Madame Bovary. Gallimard 1976.
• Gide, Les Faux-Monnayeurs. Gallimard 1975.
• Proust, Du côté de chez Swann. Gallimard 1988.
• Butor, Passage de Milan. Editions de Minuit 1980.
• Duras, Moderato Cantabile. Gallimard 1987.
• Salvayre, La Puissance des Mouches. éditions du Seuil 1997.