France

FranceFrench Literature, History and Culture

List of 9 recommended reference books for understanding French culture and people's lives in the first half of the 19th century

This article will introduce you to some useful books on French culture and people's lives in the first half of the 19th century, especially from around 1830.

When you think of French culture, you may think of luxurious social gatherings, French cuisine, and fashion, but it was actually during this period after the French Revolution that these things began to flourish.

Russian high society was strongly influenced by French culture. Knowing the French culture of the time would be very useful for learning about the mentality of the Russian people.
Gorio old manFrench Literature, History and Culture

Balzac's "Old Gorio" Synopsis and Impressions - The Story of the Rise of a Young Frenchman - What is the Connection to Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment"?

Published in 1830, "Old Gorio" is Balzac's masterpiece and is considered one of the world's ten greatest novels.

When I read this novel, I was amazed.

The situation of the young man Rastignak, the protagonist of the film, was similar to that of Raskolnikov, the protagonist of "Crime and Punishment.

Reading "Old Gorio" also made me think about why Dostoevsky created Raskolnikov, whose path is similar to Rastignak's but very different.
Tocqueville.French Literature, History and Culture

Tocqueville, "Days of the French February Revolution" - Relationship between Dostoevsky's Siberian exile and the French February Revolution

I have taken a brief look at the history of France so far in this article, but how would you feel if the February Revolution mentioned at the end of the previous article had something to do with Dostoevsky's exile to Siberia?

In fact, Dostoevsky's exile was also an event that occurred because of its close relationship to the political situation in France.

This article will discuss the relationship between that French February Revolution and Dostoevsky's exile.
FranceFrench Literature, History and Culture

A quick look at the flow of France after Napoleon - French July Revolution and February Revolution

This article will briefly summarize post-Napoleonic France, specifically from 1815, after Napoleon's downfall, to 1848, when the events of the February Revolution took place.

The reason why it is necessary to study the history of France during this period in order to learn about Dostoevsky is that this was the very same period as his youth.

His youth was so immersed in French literature that it could be said that his life was with French literature. Studying France during this period is also a way to learn about Dostoevsky.
crime and punishmentFrench Literature, History and Culture

After all, "Crime and Punishment" is interesting..! Think about its charm from the angle of Napoleon

When I use the word "funny" in Dostoevsky, it is not the same as "funny" as in ah-ha laugh, or "funny" as in ah-ha fun, or "funny" as in watching scintillating entertainment.

I mean the kind of fun that makes you lose track of time and get absorbed in it, and yet has a feeling of sticking with you long after you have read it.

Crime and Punishment" has a great deal of ideological depth that makes it such an interesting read.

One of these is what Raskolnikov calls the Napoleonic idea.
collen coolFrench Literature, History and Culture

Collencourt's "Napoleon's Russian Expedition: A Chronicle of the Crushing Battle of Napoleon's Russian Expedition" - This is the book to learn more about Napoleon's Russian expedition.

The author, Collencourt, was the closest observer of Napoleon's Russian expedition.

This book is the best record of what Napoleon thought and how he acted during his Russian expedition.

In particular, as the book's title suggests, it describes the cruel defeat of Napoleon's army from Moscow in this manner.

This book is an excellent study of the course of Napoleon's Russian expedition.
NapoleonFrench Literature, History and Culture

Napoleon's Moscow Expedition, General Winter, and the Fall from Glory - A Study of the Relationship between Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and Napoleon

This time it is finally the big showdown. Finally, Napoleon and Dostoevsky's homeland, Russia, face off.

We have traced the history of Napoleon at length so far, with the theme of the relationship between Raskolnikov, the protagonist of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, and Napoleon.

Reading Raskolnikov's words again, I am amazed at how exquisitely he describes Napoleon's turbulent course.
NapoleonFrench Literature, History and Culture

Napoleon's Expedition to Egypt and Accession to the Czar's Throne - A Study of the Relationship between Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and Napoleon

In this article, I will continue to talk about Napoleon as in the previous article.

Napoleon crushed the rebellion in Paris with overwhelming force, and from this point on, his lion-hearted efforts led to a series of victories in foreign wars.

To understand Napoleon's movements from this point on, we need to know the situation in France and other countries.

This article looks at such a situation in Europe.
Lefebvre (French restaurant chain)French Literature, History and Culture

G. Lefebvre, "1789 - Introduction to the French Revolution" - A great book to learn more about why the French Revolution happened!

The more you know about the French Revolution, the more interesting it is. It has a ridiculously mixed background.

And by unraveling each of them, the flow of history takes on a different appearance.

Masashi Jinno's "World History Theatre: The French Revolutionary Currents," which we introduced in the previous issue, was an excellent book to learn more about the revolution itself, and Lefebvre's book provides an even more detailed background to the revolution.

The synergy between these two books is fantastic in my opinion.

I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in France.