Abstract EN:

Stendhal, in turn dragoon, civil servant and diplomat, was more conscious than any man of belonging to a world contunually in motion. Curious and eager for knowledge, he recounted the main political upheavals of his day in france and italy. He was interested above all anecdotes, which he felt to be of far greater significance than elevated theoretical discourse. His style of recounting political events did not in fact differ greatly from his manner of writing novels. The key feature in both is a linear narrative style, and the contradictions evident in his judgements are reminiscent of the hesitations of the heroes in his novels. Stendhal consistently takes up the opposing position to that of his interlocutor in order to ensure that the discussion remains open rather than petering out in a dreary consensus. However, this does not cast any doubt upon his political convictions, which though complex were nevertheless profoundly felt. His relationships with napoleon and the great writers and thinkers of his day (mme de stael, chateaubriand) also seem complex and passionate. Stendhal, with his open approach to the world, was not content to merely play the spectator to the great debates of his time concerning the freedom of the press, political intrigue, elections and so on. At the same time, it is remarkable that he never abandoned his passions, which occasionally overlapped withy the world of politics. As regards politics, stendhal managed to retain a casual stance while showing great eagerness for details. His personality is reflected in his ambiguous attitude. His political thinking is first and foremost illustrative of stendhal the man.