Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly
Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Jules-Antoine-Barbier-Malo d'Aurevilly was a French writer, journalist, and literary critic. He is commonly known as Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly or simply Barbey.
Birth and Death Dates
Barbey was born on November 3, 1808, in Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, Normandy, France. He passed away on June 23, 1889, at the age of 80.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Barbey d'Aurevilly was a Frenchman by birth and nationality. His profession spanned multiple fields: he was a writer, journalist, literary critic, historian, and politician.
Early Life and Background
Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly was born into an aristocratic family in Normandy. His early life was marked by a deep connection to his regional heritage and culture. He was educated at home before attending the École polytechnique in Paris. However, he dropped out of the school due to disagreements with the director.
Major Accomplishments
Barbey d'Aurevilly's literary career spanned several decades. He made significant contributions as a writer, journalist, and critic. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Literary Criticism: Barbey d'Aurevilly was known for his biting critiques of contemporary literature. His writings often criticized the romantic movement, which he believed had deviated from traditional French literary values.
Historical Research: He conducted extensive research on various historical topics, including the French Revolution and the Norman Conquest.
Novels and Short Stories: Barbey d'Aurevilly was a prolific writer of novels and short stories. His works often explored themes of morality, love, and social class.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Barbey d'Aurevilly's notable works include:
The Queen's Necklace (1849): A historical novel that explores the scandal surrounding Marie Antoinette's diamond necklace.
Diabolis sive de Magia (1856-1867): A series of essays on witchcraft and demonology.
Le Bonheur dans le crystal (1878-1880): A collection of short stories that examine the human condition.
Impact and Legacy
Barbey d'Aurevilly's influence extends beyond his literary contributions. He was a key figure in shaping French literary culture during the 19th century. His critiques of romanticism paved the way for later literary movements, such as realism and naturalism. Today, Barbey d'Aurevilly is remembered as a prominent writer, historian, and critic who left an indelible mark on French literature.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Barbey d'Aurevilly's writings continue to be widely quoted and studied due to their insight into the human condition. His works offer a unique perspective on love, morality, and social class, making him a relevant figure in contemporary literary discussions.
Quotes by Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly
My good fellow,” said Mesnil, stopping, “ever since the creation of the world there have been men like me specially intended to astonish men...men like you.
les contes répétés deux fois sont ennuyeux, même quand ils sont des vérités
For – as everyone knows – in libertinism bad taste is a potent force. ("A Woman's Vengeance")
And, in fact, if these crimes appeal less to the senses, they appeal more to the mind; and the mind, in the last analysis, is the profoundest part of us. For the novelist, therefore, there is a new type of tragedy to be derived from these crimes, more intellectual than physical in character, which do not really seem to be crimes to the superficial judgement of old materialistic societies because they do not involve bloodshed, and murder is committed only in the sphere of feelings and manners.
En dehors des statues finies de Michel-Ange, j'ai la certitude que son atelier serait encore quelque chose de suggestif et de grand. Même la sciure de son marbre, n'aurait-elle pas un aspect auguste ? C'est une impression de cet ordre que vous causera ce gros volume de cinq cent cinquante pages, où il y a de la sciure de ces idées qui, depuis, sont devenues des monuments !
Night, which in Autumn seems to fall from the sky so suddenly, chilled us...
They were like the Neapolitan girl who said that her sorbet was good but that it would have been better if it had been a sin to eat it.
Dandies, who – as you know - scorn all emotions as being beneath them, and do not believe, like that simpleton Goethe, that astonishment can ever be a proper feeling for the human mind.