Civilite et litterature

How should one burp, pass gas, and spit in public? Should people use utensils when eating? How should a young woman react when a man speaks to her without her parents' consent? Questions such as these preoccupied 17-c France, which defined much of what we understand today to be civility. We will examine how literature makes civility seem either natural or normal or artificial and deceptive. Readings will include selections from conduct manuals (Faret, Courtin), comedies (Corneille and Molière), letters (Voiture,Sévigné), fairy tales (d'Aulnoy, Perrault), "moralist" writing (Pascal, La Rochefoucauld, La Bruyère), and cultural history (Chartier, Elias, Foucault). Taught in French. Prerequisite: a course at the 600- or 700-level or equivalent proficiency. Contact the instructor to verify your proficiency if you have not taken French at Brown.