A Study of Gift in the Works of François Mauriac

Abstract

shown in the world of François Mauriac's works. In particular, MarcelMauss's essay of donation, Jacques Derrida's concept of pure donation,and Paul Ricoeur's Christian giving theory are applied to Mauriac's majorworks to derive a rich and new interpretation. In Mauriac's works, there isa world of “grace” that transcends a giving as an exchange. Grace,which means “gift” in Greek, is not given in return for any deed or merit,but is unilaterally given from God. The first gift is handed down as a“command” for love, and those who come into contact with thiscommand practice the sacrifice of self-renunciation. Their sacrifice is afree gift that is passed on to the universal other.