ABSTRACT
The struggle to outlaw war cannot form by itself an exhaustive basis for political theory. But the Summer of 1914 was unique, because, during it, there existed a world situation in which the malaise of the ‘politique’—as described by Péguy-was crystallized. The tension, conflict and competition, both domestic and international as well as ideological and political, were dominant. Hope of universal peace gradually dwindled, while there was a steady drift into war. A situation, in which the trend was obvious, but irreparable, caused indignation on the part of thoughtful men. To regard men as actors on the stage of history yet to accept, at the same time, the inevitably destructive course of history, was an illogical contradiction. Hence, du Gard attempts to probe and study the malaise, so as to develop revolt against an illogical situation into a stable and harmonious new order. Thus, the idea of the destructiveness of war becomes a source of inspiration and a stimulus for reform. This reform is enhanced by the ripeness of contemporary conditions for revolution, so that an appraisal of the world situation must take into account the dual forces of social revolution and war. In the novel Les Thibault action centers about the Internationale-an affirmation of this duality and an acknowledgment that revolutionary forces are becoming identified with growing socialism.
