La foramtion de Voltaire épistolier : 1711-1733
Institution:
Paris 4Disciplines:
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Abstract EN:
The first part of this study provides an overview of epistolary usage and esthetics at the end of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the eighteenth century. The author distinguishes the different elements that composed epistolary protocol during the period, both for the content of the letter (appropriateness, concision) and for the stylistic level chosen (normal usage, informality, apparent spontaneity). The analysis draws upon epistolary manuals in order to describe the models most frequently proposed (cicero, seneca, balzac, voiture, bussy. . . ), and the varying degrees of their popularity. After having defined the caracteristics of epistolary usage during the period, the author situates voltaire in relation to this established protocol. Early influences upon the young writer are evaluated: his training in the art of composition at the college "louis le grand", his readings (horace, chapelle, la fontaine) and his interactions with correspondants like chaulieu. Traits which are specific to the style of the young voltaire are analysed: his use of ellipsis, his tendancy to. . .
Abstract FR:
La premiere partie de l'etude presente un tableau du gout epistolaire a la charniere du xvii eme et du xviii eme siecle. Cette description rassemble les elements d'une theorie definissant les qualites necessaires a la lettre (prudence, brievete, adaptation) et a son style (moyen, neglige, naturel). A partir des ouvrages theoriques et des recueils les plus repandus au tournant du siecle, elle evoque les modeles les plus frequement proposes (ciceron, seneque, balzac, voiture, bussy), et les alea de leur faveur. Ces exemples offrent les elements de la topique epistolaire a la fin du siecle. L'analyse se consacre ensuite a definir le role determinant des professeurs du college "louis le grand" dans l'apprentissage epistolaire du jeune homme, elle evalue la possible influence des lectures (horace, chapelle, la fontaine) et des premiers correspondants (chaulieu. . . ). Elle determine la relation de la lettre voltairienne par rapport au protocole precedemment defini (composition, formules de conclusion), puis s'attache a eclairer les particularites de son style (art de l'ellipse, gout des oppositions, ironie intermittente, esprit de la maxime). Enfin, elle presente l'essentiel d'une thematique epistolaire en. . .