Alfred Jarry, born shortly after France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, was a product of a tumultuous era marked by political upheaval and social change. His formative years were shaped by the cultural legends of Brittany and the erratic behavior of his parents. Despite a challenging family environment and a nontraditional education, Jarry emerged as a revolutionary figure in literature and theater.

Early Life and Education

Jarry entered the world amid the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War and the fall of the Paris Commune. His mother’s Breton heritage and his father's struggle with alcoholism painted a complex family portrait. Jarry's mother, eccentric and ambitious, left her husband, relocating with her children to Saint-Brieuc to live with her father, a well-off magistrate. Here, she took charge of Jarry’s education, seeing it as a means to uphold family prestige.

Transition to Rennes

In 1888, Jarry's mother moved the family to Rennes, once Brittany's capital, to further her son’s education. Enrolled in the lycée, Jarry prepared for the elite École Normale Supérieure and the Polytechnique. Despite his mischievous nature and penchant for sarcasm, he was recognized for his intellect and wit. His physical appearance earned him the nickname "Quasimodo," a moniker that presaged his later connection to his grotesque character, Pa Ubu.

Intellectual Pursuits

Jarry's academic prowess was evident as he excelled in multiple disciplines, claiming prizes in languages, sciences, and mathematics. His insatiable curiosity led him beyond the standard curriculum to explore the works of Shakespeare, Goethe, and Nietzsche, the latter of whom he read even before French translations were available. At eighteen, Jarry already exhibited a fascination with themes of violence and existential musings, which permeated his early literary efforts, including drafts of "Ubu roi" and "Ubu Enchained."

Parisian Chapter

After securing his baccalaureates, Jarry moved to Paris to study at the prestigious Lycée Henry IV, where Henri Bergson, an influential philosopher, was among his teachers. Bergson’s ideas, particularly his work "Essai sur les données immédiates de la conscience," resonated with Jarry and the Symbolist movement. Following his mother's death in 1893 and setbacks in his academic pursuits, Jarry altered his focus from sciences to humanities, eventually dedicating himself entirely to writing.

Influence of Symbolism

In Paris, Jarry was captivated by the Symbolist movement, which emphasized imagination and rejected realism. He gravitated towards the notion of autonomous language, akin to music, detached from conventional syntax. While he embraced these ideals selectively, Jarry's independent spirit led him to forge an imaginative realm and a groundbreaking style of theater.

Literary Connections

Jarry formed a significant bond with Alfred Vallette, the founder of "Mercure de France." Vallette and his wife, Rachilde, became influential figures in Jarry's life, offering support as he navigated the literary circles of Paris. Through these connections, Jarry mingled with notable Symbolists like Remy de Gourmont and Félix Fénéon, and admired Mallarmé’s abstract linguistic innovations.

Artistic Evolution

Jarry’s artistic vision extended beyond literature to embrace the emerging trends in painting. He admired artists such as Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec for their nonrealistic portrayals, a style he infused into his play "Ubu roi." The production was marked by abstract costumes and settings, challenging traditional theatrical norms and unsettling audiences.

Military Interlude

In 1894, Jarry's brief military tenure in Laval left an indelible mark on him. His profound distaste for military life led to a drastic attempt to escape service, which ultimately served as inspiration for his novel "Days and Nights: Novel of a Deserter."

Revolutionary Theater

The pivotal moment in Jarry’s career came in 1896 with the publication of "Ubu roi" and his essay on the futility of traditional theater. Despite the initial...