Marcel Aymé Criticism
Marcel Aymé (1902–1967) stands as a prominent figure in French literature, celebrated for his versatility across genres such as short stories, novels, plays, children's literature, and essays. His work often blends elements of fantastique with deeper social and political allegories, positioning him alongside French moralists like Rabelais and Voltaire. Aymé’s narratives require a dual perspective from readers, balancing innocence with irony, as discussed in The Turbulent Spring of Experience. This duality is a hallmark of his storytelling, which captures both rural and urban French life with a mix of affection and critique, as noted by critics in A French Satirist.
Aymé's short stories are particularly notable for their imaginative scope and narrative innovation. "La Traversée de Paris" exemplifies this, highlighting the ironies of the German occupation, as explored in Myths and Ironies of the Occupation. His tales often incorporate fantastical elements, merging science fiction with fairy-tale motifs, as examined by Faerie and Fantastic Phenomena and Motifs. Aymé's work aligns with the moralistic tradition of French fabulists, a theme discussed in Marcel Aymé, Fabulist and Moralist.
Despite facing a blacklist post-World War II due to alleged collaborationist activities, Aymé’s legacy endures as a testament to his narrative skill and deep engagement with French skepticism and humanism. His works are imbued with philosophical concepts presented through fantastical absurdity, offering insights into the human condition, a perspective argued in Literature, Philosophy, Nonsense. His stories, known for timeless themes of morality, irony, and social critique, encapsulate a robust realism and satire, as discussed by Dorothy Brodin.
Aymé's narratives focus on the experiences of the common man, often set against rural France's backdrop. His storytelling seamlessly blends the supernatural with daily life, creating a unique fusion of fantasy and realism, as seen in his celebrated novel, La Jument verte, explored by Brée and Guiton. While critics like Charles Rolo praise Aymé for his elegant prose and satirical portrayal of human nature, others, like Henri Peyre, argue that his works may lack longevity due to perceived coarseness. Nevertheless, Aymé’s imaginative and independent approach secures his status as a significant figure in French literature.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Aymé, Marcel (Contemporary Literary Criticism)
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Marcel Aymé: Epilogue
(summary)
In the following essay, Brée and Guiton highlight Marcel Aymé's unique position among French novelists, emphasizing his provincial roots and comedic storytelling, which vividly blend the supernatural with everyday logic, making works like La Jument verte enduringly popular.
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A French Satirist
(summary)
In the following essay, Charles Rolo argues that Marcel Aymé's work is characterized by its elegant prose, profound cynicism, and a combination of fantasy with realism, making him a compelling storyteller who offers a satirical yet affectionate view of human nature.
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Realism a la Maupassant
(summary)
In the following essay, Henri Peyre critiques Marcel Aymé's literary contributions, emphasizing his robust realism and satirical prowess in depicting human folly, while suggesting that his novels may not endure due to their coarseness and lack of poetic depth, and noting Aymé's conservative satire of societal and political pretensions.
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Marcel Aymé
(summary)
In the following essay, Dorothy Brodin explores Marcel Aymé's unique position in French literature as an independent and imaginative writer whose works blend satire, fable, and criticism of social hypocrisy, depicting human flaws and society's absurdities with a vivid and flexible style that defies easy classification.
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Marcel Aymé: Epilogue
(summary)
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Aymé, Marcel (Short Story Criticism)
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The Turbulent Spring of Experience
(summary)
In the following essay, Vigée reviews Across Paris and Other Stories, praising Aymé's characteristic “duality,” which, Vigée notes, requires readers to approach his writing with both “childlike innocence” and “ferocious irony.”
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Adult Fables
(summary)
In the following essay, Dunlea praises Across Paris and Other Stories for Aymé's ability to defy twentieth-century scientific and psychological analysis with his magical fables.
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The Atlantic Monthly (essay date
1961)
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A French Satirist
(summary)
In the following essay, the anonymous critic reviews The Proverb and Other Stories, finding that it affirms that Aymé is “a born storyteller.”
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A French Satirist
(summary)
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Marcel Aymé, Fabulist and Moralist
(summary)
In the following essay, Temmer examines Aymé's fables and classifies the writer as a traditional French fabulist.
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Faerie and Fantastic Phenomena and Motifs
(summary)
In the following essay, Lord examines Aymé's stories that fall into the traditions of fairy tales and tales of the fantastic.
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Poor Little Martin
(summary)
In the following essay, Buss praises the stories collected in La Fille du shérif for their nostalgic insight into the French lower classes.
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Literature, Philosophy, Nonsense
(summary)
In the following essay, Tilghman examines the philosophical significance of nonsense in Aymé's tales of the marvelous.
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Myths and Ironies of the Occupation: Marcel Aymé's ‘Traversee de Paris’
(summary)
In the following essay, Lloyd analyzes Aymé's story “Traversée de Paris” for its insight into the German occupation of Paris during World War II.
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The Turbulent Spring of Experience
(summary)
- Further Reading