| Show anatole frances isolated and brilliant position in french literature by PROF J P wickersham CRAWFORD CRAW FORD university of pennsylvania anatole franco france was the most illustrious representative of that generation generi which was brought up on the philosophy of taine and the ake skepticism of renan and which in early manhood shared in the spiritual de depression following upon the franco prussian war he was unable to adapt himself to tho the now new spirit in france which believes that purposeful energy c can accomplish more than denial and for this reason ho he occupied a position in contemporary french literature as isola isolated ted as aa it was brilliant at various times he revealed himself as aa a poet with exquisite perfection of form a dilettante with ardent lovo love for the literature of the i he P past ast an indulgent skeptic looking upon human frailty with indifference enca a mystic 1 na naively 1 vely evoking the poetry of primitive religions a sentimental rationalist sapping the foundations foundation found atio 11 s of belief with a devout smile a voluptuary a keen critic of theological dogma a bitter anticlerical and zealous supporter of tho the separ separation aaion of church and state a socialist and eloquent champion of tho the rights of the people peopled a learned historian a rabelaisian short sabr y writer and a scoffer laughing with mephistophelean phelian mock mockery ery at all things hum human anand band divine all agree that his style entitles him to tank rank as one of the most distinguished men of letters of the nineteenth century but there axe are many alio believe that he be is a corrupter as well as an educator and that his dissolvent philosophy is subversive of all progress |
