Gargantua
by François Rabelais
At a glance:
- Author: François Rabelais
- First Published: 1534
- Type of Work: Novel
- Genres: Long fiction, Novel
- Subjects: Voyages, Folkloric or magical people, France or French people, Islands, Fantasy, Renaissance, Giants
- Locales: France, Europe, Paris, France, Loire River Valley, France
The Work
Although not the first of Rabelais’s novels published, Gargantua begins the chronological adventures of the giant family. It promises to chronicle the life of the hero, as in the hagiographies (sacred biographies, or edifying lives of the saints) widely circulated in monasteries. It begins as a parody of these testaments to piety, inverting their conventions. Thus, instead of addressing the devout, it singles out different readers: glorious drinkers and chasers after love—especially those within the church.
Yet deeper meanings emerge. The persona...
(The entire page is 509 words.)
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