French Literature 2
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Through the study of some exemplary works of great French authors of modernity, the course aims to deepen some fundamental questions - the relationship between literature and reality (individual and collective), the role of literature in society, the relationship of literature with the other arts and with the human sciences - identifying lines of continuity and revolutionary fractures, from the 18th century to the 20th century.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: 1) knowledge of the essential lines of development of the French literature of the considered period, with a focus on the authors and the works object of analysis; 2) understanding of the interrelationships between works, authors, literary and cultural movements Skills: ability to read a literary text 1) recognizing the identifying characteristics of a personal style; 2) identifying themes and styles attributable to a cultural climate and a historical era; 3) linking it to other texts by the same author and by different authors.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
After a brief overview of the main features of the autobiographical genre, the course will focus on the singular variants given by two protagonists of the 20th-century French literary scene - Gide and Sartre - for whom the writing of an autobiography meant, albeit with different characteristics and implications, the assumption of a position and an act of responsibility.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is partially taught in French, the materials and the exam bibliography presuppose literary history and critical analysis skills gained in previous courses.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: frontal lessons; reading and commenting on passages from the works indicated in the program; analysis of textual and iconographic documents that serve to support the understanding of the works.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography for attending and non-attending students:
Ph. Lejeune, Le Pacte autobiographique, pp. 13-46; 165-243
A. Gide, Si le grain ne meurt, any edition
J.-P. Sartre, Les mots, Paris, Gallimard (any edition)
- Dossier of critical texts uploaded on My Ariel at the end of the course
Additional bibliography for non-attending students
- J.M. Wittmann comment "Si le grain ne meurt" d'André Gide, Paris, Gallimard, 'foliothèque', 2005
- C. Burgelin mimes "Les mots" by J.-P. Sartre, Paris, Gallimard, 'foliothèque', 1994
Non-attending students are advised to contact the lecturer before starting exam preparation.
The syllabus will be valid up to and including February 2027.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Ph. Lejeune, Le Pacte autobiographique, pp. 13-46; 165-243
A. Gide, Si le grain ne meurt, any edition
J.-P. Sartre, Les mots, Paris, Gallimard (any edition)
- Dossier of critical texts uploaded on My Ariel at the end of the course
Additional bibliography for non-attending students
- J.M. Wittmann comment "Si le grain ne meurt" d'André Gide, Paris, Gallimard, 'foliothèque', 2005
- C. Burgelin mimes "Les mots" by J.-P. Sartre, Paris, Gallimard, 'foliothèque', 1994
Non-attending students are advised to contact the lecturer before starting exam preparation.
The syllabus will be valid up to and including February 2027.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral examen - part of which (chosen by the student) must be conducted in French - consists of an interview on the different parts of the programme. It will start with the reading (with translation) and commentary of a passage (chosen by the teacher), taken from one of the literary texts considered, and will then extend the discussion to the other topics in the syllabus.
Professor(s)