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Jean MarmontelFrench writer, member of the French Academy since 1763. He began as a playwright, a follower of Voltaire.
Date of Birth: 11.07.1723
Country:  France |
Content:
- Marmontel: The Moderate Enlightenment Writer
- Literary Contributions
- Novelist and Playwright
- Mixed Genres and Later Life
Marmontel: The Moderate Enlightenment Writer
Early Life and InfluencesJean-François Marmontel, born to a humble bourgeois family in 1723, became a prominent figure in the French Enlightenment. Influenced by his middle-class upbringing, he expressed the views of moderate bourgeoisie who supported reforms but opposed radical change.
Literary Contributions
Marmontel's literary output spanned various genres. He contributed articles on literature to the "Encyclopédie," later published as "Elements de littérature" (1787). His "Contes moraux" (1765) enjoyed great popularity, combining sentimentality and didacticism.
Novelist and Playwright
Marmontel's novels, including "Bélisaire" and "Incas" (both 1777), reflected his moderate views. "Bélisaire," translated into Russian at Catherine II's request, advocated for religious tolerance, drawing criticism from the clergy. "Incas" explored the theme of religious tolerance and foreshadowed the exoticism of Bernardin de Saint-Pierre and Chateaubriand.
Mixed Genres and Later Life
Marmontel unsuccessfully attempted to create a hybrid genre of "novel and epic," which ultimately took the form of philosophical novels. Towards the end of his life, he distanced himself from Enlightenment ideals. His posthumously published memoirs candidly detailed his romantic escapades.
