The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion
Sentimental Education
>
Sentimental Education Week 2: Part 1-Chapters 5 and 6
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
Please feel free to share your thoughts about the characters as well.
In the background thread, I've posted some information about Louis-Philippe I.
I am struggling a bit with the story, partly because of the large cast of characters and partly because of the similarities in some of the last names. I will continue to plow through and plan to make use of the maps and other great suggestions that my fellow readers provided in the first section. Things I am enjoying about the story: the relatable crush that Frederic has on Madame Arnoux; the lush and beautiful descriptions of the countryside; the character Deslaurier, a down-to-earth young man who can help Frederic become an adult if F will only profit by his example.
Mod
I found part 1 to be a slow read, but the action does pick up in part 2 and by part 3 everything falls together in a dramatic way.
Flaubert also writes in a very detached unemotional style in the chapters we've just read.
I enjoy the descriptions of the countryside as well. It's almost a dreamy atmosphere instead of Frederic's walks in Paris, where often times he feels like the odd man out.
It would be nice if Frederic could be influenced by Deslauriers, but his temperament is so different-and he doesn't have to work for his money.
He really has placed Mme Arnoux on a pedestal.
“Flaubert is closely associated with the literary term "le mot juste,” which is a French phrase meaning "the right word" or "the exact word". It emphasizes the importance of using the most precise and appropriate language to convey meaning, especially in writing . . . "Le mot juste" is more than just finding a synonym; it's about choosing the word that perfectly captures the intended nuance and conveys the exact meaning the writer desires."SOURCE: Google AI
Of course, reading Sentimental Education in translation means that one cannot know what Flaubert's “le mots juste” were, but a sensitive translation can give us the flavor. I happen to be reading the latest English translation (2023) by Raymond MacKenzie. When I began reading the novel, “le mot juste” was not in my mind, but as I read I was struck by phrases and sentences that I found quite beautiful — gems scattered here and there. Only then did I vaguely recall something from college about Faubert: AI and "le mot juste" to the rescue!
So far, I find the story line fairly thin, the introspection not always interesting, and Frederic predictable. But I love the descriptions. I know this puts me at odds with some other readers who find them tiresome, which, I suspect, has a lot to do with the translation.
Nancy wrote: "I am struggling a bit with the story, partly because of the large cast of characters and partly because of the similarities in some of the last names."
I too keep getting the characters confused, especially the big “D”s: Deslauriers, Dambreuse, and Dussardier. I’ve downloaded a list of major characters from the web, which I refer to as needed.
Mod
The visit to the Alhambra was interesting to read about. It reminded me of great nights out in the 1970s when groups of young men and young women would throw caution into to the wind in order to have fun and enjoy themselves. Frederic seemed to be the only wet blanket in the group, unable to rid himself of his slavish devotion to the unattainable woman of his dreams. Whilst Deslauriers danced, Frederic skulked in the shadows, his only romantic thoughts dedicated to Madame Arnoux.As I have written in the first section, my thoughts about Frederic’s passion for Madame Arnoux have to be tempered by his youth, but still being obsessed with her five years later seems excessive and seems to have become a barrier to his personal progress in life. I am surprised that Frederic has not had even a fleeting ‘intrigue’ with another woman between the period when he first set eyes on Arnoux’ wife all those years ago.
Frederic was certainly languishing in a depressive state whilst ‘forced’ to live at home. It was not the shock revelation from his mother about relative poverty that left him in the doldrums, but his feelings that his poverty would make him an unworthy lover of Madame Arnoux! All that idle mooning about was both a little tedious to read about and slightly annoying. Frederic does have abilities but seemingly no drive whatsoever.
His relationship with the young girl was ambivalent at best, with the worst part of it being his lack of empathy. It was if she was a plaything he could amuse himself with to while away the time. She was obviously confused by his behaviour and somewhat devastated by his lack of concern about leaving her.
Being left a packet by his relative sounds great for Frederic, but was that the best motivation for this young man? Thinking of the British aristocracy who were disgusted by the idea of themselves ‘working’ or having a job, isn’t Frederic in danger of descending into the realms of the idle rich and leading a life of debauchery?
I’m only starting to use the French text to trouver le mot juste. My translated text renders “marmots” as “brats”. Online WR gives “rugrats”. I’ll share more mots justes as I encounter them.Should one translate a classic into the idiom of 1845 or 2025? I’d say if at all possible in the case of a classic, neither. “Kids” would be normal today, but in the 19th century was criminal argot.
Frederick is ashamed of Deslauriers, But I like the way that Des responded by laughing at him and sending him up about his obsession with the Arnoux’s. I too noted his relationship with a young girl, and also when they parted, she seemed to want to tell him a secret but he rushed off. I’m wondering if there’s a hidden clue there The author twice describes courtesans, street girls and prostitutes in the same sentence. I thought that street girls and prostitutes were synonymous, or is something lost in translation. Can anyone elucidate?
Mod
I think rugrats is a terrible translation! It makes me think of the cartoon.
Mod
Nancy wrote: "I am struggling a bit with the story, partly because of the large cast of characters and partly because of the similarities in some of the last names. I will continue to plow through and plan to ma..."Same for me too Nancy, and the author makes it worse by quoting occupations rather than names- "The Tutor, The Painter, The Clerk", The Citizen, etc. I make notes in my reporter's notepad while reading and with this aide memoir I find it easier to follow. I read the novel earlier this year and can confirm it does get a lot better once you are familiar with the characters.
Frederic continues in his aimless and unproductive life. He has acquired a room-mate, his childhood friend Charles Deslauriers who is a pragmatic and hard-working young man.
Frederic's social circle is expanding.
As he continues going to M. Arnoux's Wednesday meetings, he finally gets an invitation to dinner, where he will meet Mme Arnoux again.
Frederic, who usually is not that busy, receives two invitations for the same day. The first, a coveted invitation to Mme Dambreuse. The second, an opportunity to spend the day in the country with the Arnoux family-which he accepts.
Some time later, during a play intermission, Frederic encounters Mme Dambreuse and learns that she had been unable to receive guests that day due to an unexpected death of a close relative.
Frederic goes to spend the summer at home and learns that because of bad investments, their financial situation is not good.
Chapter 6:
Frederic has no plans of any kind, so he just stays at home and becomes friends with Roque's daughter, a neighbour. Louise is a young teenager and it's obvious that she quickly becomes smitten with Frederic, who is totally unaware of her feelings. They go for long walks through the countryside together.
Frederic is miffed that Deslauriers has a new room-mate and they're using all of Frederic's belongings.
It is now 1845, and on December 12 Frederic learns that his uncle has died intestate and he's the heir. So off he goes to Paris!