Sensibility, or the capacity to feel, played a vital role in philosophical reflection about the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the arts in eighteenth-century France. Yet scholars have privileged the Marquis de Sade's vindication of physiological sensibility as the logical conclusion of Enlightenment over Germaine de Sta l's exploration of moral sensibility's potential for reform and renewal that paved the way for Romanticism. This volume of essays showcases Sta l's contribution to the "affective revolution" in Europe, investigating the personal and political circumstances that informed her theory of the passions and the social and aesthetic innovations to which it gave rise. Contributors move seamlessly between her political, philosophical, and fictional works, attentive to the relationship between emotion and cognition and aware of the coherence of her thought on an individual, national, and international scale. They first examine the significance Sta l attributed to pity, happiness, melancholy, and enthusiasm in The Influence of the Passions as she witnessed revolutionary strife and envisioned the new republic. They then explore her development of a cosmopolitan aesthetic, in such works as On Literature, Corinne, or Italy, On Germany, and The Spirit of Translation, that transcended traditional generic, national, and linguistic boundaries. Finally, they turn to her contributions to the visual and musical arts as she deftly negotiated the transition from a Neoclassical to a Romantic aesthetic. Sta l's Philosophy of the Passions concludes that, rather than founding a republic based on the rights of man, Sta l's reflection fostered international communities of women (artists, models, and collectors; authors, performers, and spectators), enabling them to participate in the re-articulation of sociocultural values in the wake of the French Revolution. Contributors: Tili Boon Cuill , Catherine Dubeau, Nanette Le Coat, Christine Dunn Henderson, Karen de Bruin, M. Ione Crummy, Jennifer Law-Sullivan, Lauren Fortner Ravalico, C. C. Wharram, Kari Lokke, Susan Tenenbaum, Mary D. Sheriff, Heather Belnap Jensen, Fabienne Moore, Julia Effertz

The first in-depth look at Staël's political life and writings Germaine de Staël (1766–1817) is perhaps best known today as a novelist, literary critic, and outspoken and independent thinker. Yet she was also a prominent figure in politics during the French Revolution. Biancamaria Fontana sheds new light on this often overlooked aspect of Staël's life and work, bringing vividly to life her unique experience as a political actor in a world where women had no place. The banker's daughter who became one of Europe's best-connected intellectuals, Staël was an exceptionally talented woman who achieved a degree of public influence to which not even her wealth and privilege would normally have entitled her. During the Revolution, when the lives of so many around her were destroyed, she succeeded in carving out a unique path for herself and making her views heard, first by the powerful men around her, later by the European public at large. Fontana provides the first in-depth look at her substantial output of writings on the theory and practice of the exercise of power, setting in sharp relief the dimension of Staël's life that she cared most about—politics. She was fascinated by the nature of public opinion, and believed that viable political regimes were founded on public trust and popular consensus. Fontana shows how Staël's ideas were shaped by the remarkable times in which she lived, and argues that it is only through a consideration of her political insights that we can fully understand Staël's legacy and its enduring relevance for us today.

J. Christopher Herold vigorously tells the story of the fierce Madame de Stael, revealing her courageous opposition to Napoleon, her whirlwind affairs with the great intellectuals of her day, and her idealistic rebellion against all that was cynical, tyrannical, and passionless. Germaine de Stael's father was Jacques Necker, the finance minister to Louis XVI, and her mother ran an influential literary-political salon in Paris. Always precocious, at nineteen Germaine married the Swedish ambassador to France, Eric Magnus Baron de Stael-Holstein, and in 1785 took over her mother's salon with great success. Germaine and de Stael lived most of their married life apart. She had many brilliant lovers. Talleyrand was the first, Narbonne, the minister of war, another; Benjamin Constant was her most significant and long-lasting one. She published several political and literary essays, including "A Treatise on the Influence of the Passions upon the Happiness of Individuals and of Nations," which became one of the most important documents of European Romanticism. Her bold philosophical ideas, particularly those in "On Literature," caused feverish commotion in France and were quickly noticed by Napoleon, who saw her salon as a rallying point for the opposition. He eventually exiled her from France. This winner of the 1959 National Book Award is "excellent ... detailed, full of color, movement, great names, and lively incident" -- The New York Times "Mr. Herold's full-bodied biography is clear-eyed, intelligent, and written with abundant wit and zest." -- The Atlantic Monthly

The 'French Classics - Boxed Set: 100+ Novels, Short Stories, Poems, Plays & Philosophical Books' offers an unparalleled journey through the richness of French literary tradition, sweeping across genres from the vivid realism of Émile Zola to the romantic adventures of Alexandre Dumas, and the profound philosophical discussions of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This anthology encapsulates the evolution of French literature, showcasing its ability to reflect and shape societal changes and individual experiences. It invites readers to explore seminal works that have defined and transcended their times, including revolutionary plays, poignant poems, and transformative philosophical texts. The thematic diversity and stylistic innovations present in this collection serve as a testament to the enduring legacy and versatility of French literary crafts. The contributing authors and editors, pillars of French literature, bring to this collection a range of perspectives shaped by their distinct historical contexts, personal experiences, and cultural backgrounds. From the Enlightenment thoughts of Voltaire to the existential complexity of Marcel Proust's narrative, each contributor has played a pivotal role in literary movements that span from the Renaissance to modernism. Their collective works offer a dynamic exploration of human nature, societal norms, and the pursuit of truth, underscoring the anthology's relevance to both contemporary and historical social discourses. For scholars, students, and aficionados of literature, 'French Classics - Boxed Set' presents an invaluable opportunity to engage with the comprehensive scope of French literary genius. It not only enhances the readers appreciation for the depth and breadth of French literature but also encourages a nuanced understanding of the cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic dialogues that have enriched the global literary landscape. This collection is an essential addition to any library, promising countless hours of enjoyment and scholarly inquiry.

This unique collection of the greatest French classics is meticulously formatted for your eReader:_x000D_ A History of French Literature_x000D_ François Rabelais:_x000D_ Gargantua and Pantagruel_x000D_ Molière:_x000D_ Tartuffe or the Hypocrite_x000D_ The Misanthrope_x000D_ The Miser_x000D_ The Imaginary Invalid_x000D_ The Impostures of Scapin…_x000D_ Jean Racine:_x000D_ Phaedra_x000D_ Pierre Corneille:_x000D_ The Cid_x000D_ Voltaire:_x000D_ Candide_x000D_ Zadig_x000D_ Micromegas_x000D_ The Huron_x000D_ A Philosophical Dictionary…_x000D_ Jean-Jacques Rousseau:_x000D_ Confessions_x000D_ Emile_x000D_ The Social Contract_x000D_ De Laclos:_x000D_ Dangerous Liaisons _x000D_ Stendhal

DigiCat presents to you this unique collection of the greatest classics of French literature, including novels, short stories, dramas and philosophical essays: Table of Contents: A History of French Literature François Rabelais: Gargantua and Pantagruel Molière: Tartuffe or the Hypocrite The Misanthrope The Miser The Imaginary Invalid... Jean Racine: Phaedra Pierre Corneille: The Cid Voltaire: Candide Zadig The Huron A Philosophical Dictionary Letters on England Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Confessions Stendhal‎: The Charterhouse of Parma Honoré de Balzac: Father Goriot Eugénie Grandet Lost Illusions The Lily of the Valley A Woman of Thirty Cousin Bette Cousin Pons Colonel Chabert The Magic Skin The Unknown Masterpiece Victor Hugo: Les Misérables The Man Who Laughs The Hunchback of Notre-Dame Toilers of the Sea The Last Day of a Condemned Man Claude Gueux George Sand: Mauprat Alexandre Dumas pere: The Three Musketeers Twenty Years After The Vicomte de Bragelonne Ten Years After Louise de la Valliere The Man in the Iron Mask The Count of Monte Cristo Marguerite de Valois The Black Tulip Alexandre Dumas fils: The Lady with the Camellias Gustave Flaubert: Madame Bovary Émile Zola: Thérèse Raquin The Fortune of the Rougons The Kill The Fat and the Thin The Conquest of Plassans Abbe Mouret's Transgression His Excellency Eugene Rougon The Dram Shop A Love Episode Nana Piping Hot The Ladies' Paradise The Joy of Life Germinal His Masterpiece The Earth The Dream The Human Beast Money Doctor Pascal Jules Verne: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Around the World in Eighty Days The Mysterious Island Journey to the Centre of the Earth From the Earth to the Moon Around the Moon In Search of the Castaways Guy de Maupassant: A Life Bel-Ami Mont Oriol Notre Coeur Pierre and Jean Strong as Death The Necklace The Horla Boul de Suif Two Friends Madame Tellier's Establishment Mademoiselle Fifi Miss Harriet... Gaston Leroux: The Phantom of the Opera The Mystery of the Yellow Room The Secret of the Night The Man with the Black Feather Marcel Proust: Swann's Way