Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 5. The Romantic School in France

by Georg Brandes, Mary Morison (translator), Diana White (translator)

Georg Brandes' 'Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 5. The Romantic School in France' is a thought-provoking examination of the Romantic movement in France during the 19th century. Brandes delves into the lives and works of influential French Romantic writers such as Victor Hugo, Alfred de Musset, and George Sand. His insightful analysis sheds light on the revolutionary ideas and creative expressions that defined this literary period. Brandes' writing is both informative and engaging, offering readers a comprehensive view of the Romantic School's lasting impact on French literature. Georg Brandes, a renowned Danish literary critic and scholar, was known for his progressive ideas and bold critiques of literature. His deep understanding of various literary movements allowed him to offer unique perspectives on the works he analyzed. Brandes' passion for literature and intellectual curiosity drove him to explore the Romantic School in France, shedding new light on its significance within the broader context of 19th-century literature. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Romantic movement, French literature, or literary criticism. Georg Brandes' detailed analysis and insightful commentary make 'Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 5. The Romantic School in France' a valuable resource for students, scholars, and enthusiasts of literature alike.

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2022

About the author

Georg Morris Cohen Brandes (4 February 1842 – 19 February 1927) was a Danish critic and scholar who had great influence on Scandinavian and European literature from the 1870s through the turn of the 20th century. He is seen as the theorist behind the "Modern Breakthrough" of Scandinavian culture. At the age of 30, Brandes formulated the principles of a new realism and naturalism, condemning hyper-aesthetic writing and fantasy in literature. According to Brandes, literature should be an organ "of the great thoughts of liberty and the progress of humanity." His literary goals were shared by many authors, among them the Norwegian realist playwright Henrik Ibsen.
When Georg Brandes held a series of lectures in 1871 with the title "Main Currents in 19th-century Literature," he defined the Modern Breakthrough and started the movement that would become Cultural Radicalism. In 1884 Viggo Hørup, Georg Brandes, and his brother Edvard Brandes started the daily newspaper Politiken with the motto: "The paper of greater enlightenment." The paper and their political debates led to a split of the liberal party Venstre in 1905 and created the new party Det Radikale Venstre.