Essays and Research Papers on French Literature

A 4 page paper looking at Flaubert’s classic book in terms of the protagonist’s struggle for meaning in her life. The paper argues that Emma Bovary is the result of what happens when a society gives women nothing to do but dream, nothing to care about but themselves, and nothing to look forward to except ...

A 10 page paper examining the role of the Romantic writer Victor Hugo in the French people’s re-evaluation of their national character during the post-revolutionary period. The paper looks particularly at his novels Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A six page paper looking at the theme of this classic French novel, and its implications for us today. The paper argues that while the writing style may seem overly Romantic to us now, its essential values are those desperately needed in our society. Bibliography lists seven sources.

A four page paper looking at the function of memory in this segment of the massive “Remembrance of Things Past.” The paper concludes that there is nothing particularly unusual about the fact that Proust is prompted by events as commonplace as a tea-soaked madeline to recall events of the past. What is unusual is the ...

A five page paper looking at this short section of Voltaire's novel in terms of its function within the book as a whole. The paper argues that Voltaire wrote the Eldorado section as a Utopia to reflect on the sorry state of life in the France of his day. No additional sources.

A five page paper on this classic short story by nineteenth-century French writer Guy de Maupassant. The paper discusses how Maupassant's story of a plump prostitute expresses his vision of humanity's plight during times of war. Bibliography lists two sources.

5 pages in length. Voltaire's 'Candide' helps one to make a solid distinction between the concepts of rosy optimism and gloomy pessimism. By doing so, this particular literary masterpiece provides insight as to what constitute the notion of happiness and the existence of despair. The writer discusses how Voltaire effectively demonstrates these ...

A five page paper looking at this heroine in Gustav Flaubert's novel in terms of the degree to which she fits Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero. The paper concludes that she does, particularly when her situation is viewed against the social backdrop of nineteenth-century French society. Bibliography lists three sources.

A 5 page analysis of the theme of leadership in Antoine de Saint-Exupery's novel 'Night Flight.' The writer argues that the two protagonists represent the way that brave individuals have always challenged the unknown, and, in so doing, have advanced the race as a whole. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

Honore Balzac was known for his realistic reproductions of French society in the early 1800's. This 3 page paper examines the symbolic use of the house and garden as it pertains to the novel, Eugenie Granet. No additional sources are listed.

This 6 page report discusses four classic works of the medieval timeframe and the concept of courtly love. Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde, Beroul’s The Romance of Tristan, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by the mysterious “Gawain-Poet,” and Beowulf each shows the reader that it is important to understand that it was the subjective presentation of either the lovers’ ardor ...

A 5 page paper that offers a critique of the titled book. This essay focuses on specific questions that relate to Mersault's trial, specifically, what was the relevance of the evidence provided to the jury and what did the reader know that the jury did not know and how does this trail relate to the ...

This 5 page paper considers the role of Victorine plays in the structure of Balzac's Le Pere Goriot. This paper integrates perspectives on the work and the character in developing connections between the other central characters. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page analysis that examines how Voltaire treated the themes of war, religious bigotry, philosophical optimism, and aristocratic snobbery. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page report discusses the Algerian by birth but French by choice writer and existential philosopher, Albert Camus, and his concept of the “authentic man.” In “The Plague” (1947), he offers an allegorical literary work and something more. Most critics relate the story to World War II, however, in “The Plague” Camus actually tells a story that presents ...

A 5 page paper which examines how French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette utilizes narrative detachment in her novel, "The Pure and the Impure." Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A five page paper looking at this classic novel by Voltaire in terms of its satirical reflections on optimism. The paper demonstrates that Voltaire's point in writing the novel was to show that just being confident things will improve is useless; one's real goal should be serving as an agent of change. No additional sources. ...

This 5 page report discusses the correspondence of Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Madame de Sevigne (1626-1696) that was published in 1725. Her letters, hundreds of them, were written to her daughter after her daughter’s marriage in 1669 and subsequent move to Provence, describe in careful detail the life at court in Paris, her own longing for her daughter, her views on politics and ...

This 5 page paper provides an overview and assesses the notion of the benefits or good that comes from the plague through an assessment of Albert Camus' The Plague. This paper considers the way in which specific advantages can be determined from the plague as defined by Camus and the conflicting effects. No ...

A five page paper comparing these two works by Albert Camus and Edmond Rostand, respectively, in terms of their characterization of each work's protagonist. The paper concludes that their very different portrayals arose from the very different worldviews of the authors. No additional sources.

This 3 page report briefly discusses Albert Camus (1913–60) and his essay “Le Renegat.” His opinion that that the human condition is fundamentally absurd led to his being categorized with the existentialists, but he vigorously denied and loyalty to that group; his works express what can be thought of as a courageous and compassionate humanism. Camus was awarded the Nobel Prize ...

This 5 page report discusses “The Little Prince” (1943) and a metaphor for freedom and an understanding of one’s personal desires. Time and again, the reader understands that a child’s perspective on the world can often remind an adult of who he or she really is. To a great degree, the most meaningful philosophical aspect of “The Little Prince” ...

This 3 page paper looks at Jean Genet's Querelle and its underlying message. How society views homosexuality is discussed. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A five page paper which analyses a passage from Le Diable au Corps at the beginning of the liaison between the narrator and Marthe, showing how the description of the early stages of their relationship foreshadows their tragic end, and how Radiquet is commenting on the failings of human nature in general. Bibliography lists 3 ...

A 5 page paper which analyzes the short story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant. Bibliography lists 6 additional sources.