Literature course I/IIp - The individual versus society in the 19th French literature 3304-1DPXW-KL-036-OG

First, we will examine the romantic hero who struggles to find his place in the post-revolutionary reality and is afflicted by the “disease of the age” (Chateaubriand’s *René* and Victor Hugo’s play *Hernani*). On the other hand, the ideas regarding the mission of the Romantic poet—promoted, among others, by Victor Hugo (in his poem “The Poet’s Role”)—will be presented.
The situation of the individual in the capitalist and hierarchical society of the nineteenth century will be illustrated by the realist novels of Balzac (“Eugénie Grandet”) and Stendhal (excerpts from the novel “The Red and the Black” illustrating the life dilemmas of Julien Sorel).
The influence of the environment on the formation of the individual will be presented in the context of Zola’s naturalist thought. The play *The Ravens* will depict the tragedy of an individual powerless in the face of a heartless society driven by the pursuit of profit. The character of the prostitute, present in the short stories of Villiers and Maupassant, will serve as an example of an individual living on the margins of contemporary society.
An analysis of excerpts from Huysmans’ novel *Against Nature* will illustrate a way of life in opposition to a society that is held in contempt.

Course coordinators

Anna Opiela-Mrozik

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

- The student knows and understands the role and significance of literary studies in the field of 19th-century French literature (K_W01)
- The student knows and understands the schools of thought and methodology in research on 19th-century French literature (K_W04)
- The student knows and understands the aesthetic movements in 19th-century literature and is able to identify their chronology and the connections between them (K_W05)
- The student knows and understands the principles of analysis and interpretation of 19th-century French literary texts (K_W09)
- The student knows and understands historical and literary facts and the processes occurring in 19th-century French literature (K_W10)
- The student is able to prepare a presentation on a given topic based on literary texts and critical studies of 19th-century French literature (K_U06)
- The student is able to apply knowledge of 19th-century French literature within the context of the relationship between the individual and society (K_U12)
- The student understands the value of the 19th-century literary heritage and is prepared to work toward its preservation (K_K04)

Assessment criteria

Pass conditions: active participation in classes, oral presentation (individual or in groups of 2-people), written test
The student is entitled to two absences (if there are more - additional work)

Bibliography

J. Adamski, A History of French Literature: An Outline, Wrocław 1989.
K. Dybeł, B. Marczuk, J. Prokop, A History of French Literature, Warsaw 2005.
J. Heistein, A History of French Literature: From the Beginnings to the Present Day, Wrocław 1997.
B. Mucha, 19th-Century French Literature: Lectures on European Literature and Culture, Piotrków Trybunalski 2005.
French Literature, Vol. II, 19th and 20th Centuries, ed. A. Adam, Warsaw 1980.
a selection of literary texts (poems, short stories, plays, novels, or excerpts from novels)

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes: