Voltaire

cucumberYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's "Kappa" Synopsis and Impressions - What happens when you wander into the land of kappa? A satirical masterpiece about modern Japan through a strange other world

Through "The World of Kappa," Akutagawa poignantly questions the state of Japan.

How unique and humorous are each (each and every?) kappa! How unique and humorous each kappa is. And how eerie....

It is horrifying to think that this work was Ryunosuke Akutagawa's desperate protest, a warning for the end of his life. He committed suicide less than a year after the publication of this work.

It will soon be 100 years since the death of Ryunosuke Akutagawa. But even 100 years later, Akutagawa's works have never faded. The power of literature has been passed on to those of us living today.
French Literature, History and Culture

G. Holmsten, "Rousseau" - Recommended biography for an introduction!

What I appreciate about this book is that it is rich in visual materials such as pictures and photos. It was easy to visualize what it was like in those days.

Also, as a biography, it is written in a way that is easy to understand for those who have no knowledge of the historical background of the time. It is very easy to read and one can move through it easily. You can enjoy learning about the tumultuous life of Rousseau and the characteristics of his thought.

Voltaire, whom we have mentioned on this blog in the past, was also a contemporary. In this book, you can learn more about his relationship with Voltaire. It was also very interesting to know why the two men, who pioneered European thought, became bitter enemies.
French Literature, History and Culture

Voltaire's "Tolerance Theory" - What is Voltaire's indictment against fanaticism and religious conflicts! A great book to read now!

The book was written in the wake of the "Crow Affair" and contains Voltaire's vehement opposition to the fanaticism of the time.

However, if you read the whole thing, you will notice that there are surprisingly few harsh or offensive words. He does not cross the line. I felt that this exquisite sense of balance is what makes Voltaire Voltaire what he is.

He presents several examples of religious intolerance in the book and explains its harmful effects.

The Tolerance Theory is a classic book that is relevant today. This book is of great significance today, when tolerance is becoming less and less. I highly recommend this book.
French Literature, History and Culture

Voltaire's "Candide" Synopsis and Comments - Refutation of the best theory, and connection to Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov".

Although "Candide" was written in the middle of the 18th century, it does not feel old at all. The story is dramatic and draws you into the story. It is a very interesting work.

And if you read it with a sense of connection to "The Brothers Karamazov," you will also enjoy it more. This book is highly recommended for Dostoevsky fans.
French Literature, History and Culture

Mizuho Hokari, "Voltaire's Century: A Century of Spiritual Freedom" - A recommended biography that explains Voltaire's life in an easy-to-understand manner!

This work is a large work of over 450 pages. However, the book is so interesting that you can read it in one sitting. The author's dramatic narrative makes you feel as if you are reading a novel.

And above all, the charm of Voltaire's character! This is what it's all about.

Voltaire is famous for his "Philosophical Letters," "Toleration," and "Candide," but even though his name and works are well-known, very little is actually known about the period in which he lived and the life of this man. To tell the truth, I myself knew very little about him.

But I was surprised when I read this book. It reveals how innovative Voltaire was and how much of an impact he had on later generations.
Don Quixote, the beloved itinerant knight.

(9) Montaigne and the Inquisition Connection: Spain in Decline and the Rejection of European Enlightenment Thought

Although Montaigne was a Frenchman famous for his Enlightenment ideas, it is said that his lineage had its roots in Converso, Spain. Surprisingly, the history of Spain, where the Inquisition was rampant, had a great influence on Montaigne's thought.

The Inquisition, which sought to eliminate those with hostile ideas, ended up creating these more powerful entities. The trend of distrust, skepticism, and atheism gradually eroded the authority of the Church.

It was very interesting to see how the Inquisition had a major impact on how modern European philosophers were born.