The Treatment of Identity in Nerval's "Les Chimeres"

With Particular Attention to Poetic Technique

Essay , 2013 , 8 Pages , Grade: 72 (A)

French Studies - Literature

Nerval’s work is famously difficult to categorise. Was he a romantic? A surrealist? Or something else?

The collection of poems "Les Chimères" could certainly be said to express elements of all of the above and perhaps more.
Not originally intended as a collection, the poems nevertheless share many attributes, not least the question of identity.

The treatment of this theme within "Les Chimères" is interestingly key to an understanding of the collection and one which raises several points pertaining to Nerval’s particular poetic technique.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Treatment of Identity in Nerval's Les Chimères
• Identity and the 'Je'
• Duality in El Desdichado
• Imagery in Le Christ aux Oliviers
• Recent Criticism and the 'Je'
• Historical/Mythological Allusions
• The Cryptic Nature of the Sonnets
• Love and Loss in Artémis
• Circular Imagery and Duality
• Roses as Metaphors
• Rejection of Purity in Artémis

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This analysis explores the theme of identity in Gérard de Nerval's collection of poems, Les Chimères, with a particular focus on the poet's use of poetic technique. It examines how Nerval's complex and often conflicting self-representation is conveyed through various poetic devices, including the use of the first person, duality, imagery, and historical/mythological allusions.

• The role of the 'je' in representing Nerval's identity
• The presence of duality and contrasting figures in the poems
• The use of imagery to reveal Nerval's inner turmoil
• The significance of historical and mythological references in understanding the poems
• The multifaceted nature of identity and its exploration through poetic techniques

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The Treatment of Identity in Nerval's Les Chimères: This chapter introduces the theme of identity in Nerval's Les Chimères and its connection to the poet's use of poetic technique. It establishes the complexities of Nerval's self-representation and the various interpretations of his work.
• Identity and the 'Je': This chapter examines the use of the first person pronoun 'je' in Les Chimères and its implications for understanding Nerval's identity. It explores the ambiguity surrounding the 'je' and the potential for it to represent both Nerval himself and a fictionalized persona.
• Duality in El Desdichado: This chapter focuses on the poem El Desdichado and its exploration of duality through the contrasting figures of Amour and Phébus, Lusignan and Biron. It highlights how these contrasts reflect the struggles within Nerval's own identity.
• Imagery in Le Christ aux Oliviers: This chapter analyzes the use of imagery in Le Christ aux Oliviers, particularly the disturbing imagery of a chaotic Earth. It explores the potential connection between this imagery and Nerval's mental state and the role of writing in his life.
• Recent Criticism and the 'Je': This chapter examines contemporary critical perspectives on the 'je' in Nerval's work and the debate surrounding its interpretation. It discusses the arguments for both a biographical and a more abstract understanding of the 'je'.
• Historical/Mythological Allusions: This chapter explores the significance of historical and mythological allusions in Les Chimères, particularly in El Desdichado. It examines how these references relate to Nerval's personal experiences and the broader context of his work.
• The Cryptic Nature of the Sonnets: This chapter discusses the cryptic nature of Nerval's sonnets and the challenges they pose for readers. It explores the need for a learned reader to fully understand the complexities of Nerval's work.
• Love and Loss in Artémis: This chapter examines the theme of love and loss in the sonnet Artémis, highlighting the circular imagery and elements of duality present in the poem. It explores how these elements relate to Nerval's personal experiences and his complex relationship with love.
• Circular Imagery and Duality: This chapter explores the recurring themes of 're-finding' and 'eternality' in Les Chimères, focusing on the duality inherent in these concepts. It examines how these themes are reflected in the circular imagery and contrasting elements within the poems.
• Roses as Metaphors: This chapter analyzes the use of roses as metaphors in Artémis, highlighting the multiple identities they take on. It explores the significance of the 'Rose trémière' and its connection to Nerval's personal experiences and his exploration of eternity.
• Rejection of Purity in Artémis: This chapter examines Nerval's rejection of purity in Artémis, focusing on his condemnation of the Neapolitan saint Rosalie. It explores how this rejection reflects Nerval's own complex relationship with morality and his embrace of the darker aspects of human nature.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Key terms and concepts associated with this analysis include: identity, poetic technique, 'je', duality, imagery, historical/mythological allusions, love, loss, eternity, circular imagery, and Nerval's mental state.

• College: University of Birmingham
• Course: BA Modern Languages
• Grade: 72 (A)
• Author: Laura Smith (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 8
• Catalog Number: V295717
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656936497
• ISBN (Book): 9783656936503
• Language: English
• Tags: Gerard de Nerval, Les Chimeres, French Romantic Poetry, 19th Century French Literature, 19th Century French Poetry