ABSTRACT

First published in 1971, this work provides a helpful introduction to the French Symbolism movement. After an introduction to the defining ideas of the movement, it explores five key Symbolist writers: Baudelaire, Verlaine, Rimbaud, Mallarmé and Valéry. The book concludes with a discussion of the impact of Symbolism across Europe.

This book will be of interest to those studying nineteenth-century French literature.

chapter 1|7 pages

The theory of Symbolism

chapter 2|9 pages

Baudelaire’s ‘Correspondances’

chapter 3|7 pages

Verlaine’s melodies

chapter 4|10 pages

Rimbaud the ‘voyant’

chapter 5|10 pages

Mallarmé and the infinite

chapter 6|8 pages

Valéry’s return to reality

chapter 7|8 pages

The repercussions of Symbolism