La révolte et la croix : Paul Claudel de La Ville

Abstract

The revolt and the cross : Paul Claudel from La Ville The second variant of La Ville, written in the light of conversion in 1886, bears the marks of readings made by the author at a crucial moment in the evolution of his thought. Apart from the declared animosities (towards Renan and Taine, above all), the spirit of revolt, as well as the reminiscences of the natural disaster, bring to mind Claudel’s enthusiasm for the Illuminations. But that’s not the only source of inspiration. Claudel, in the throes of conversion, introduces the Judeo-Christian narrative to thwart the enigma of predestination. La Ville is also based on Christian eschatological symbols : at the end of the drama these allow the son of the poet (Coeuvre) and his muse (Lâla) to carry out the general conversion. The kingdom of heaven is now, mutatis mutandis, within the reach of humankind.