Journal des Goncourt (Troisième série, troisième volume) by Goncourt and Goncourt

Summary of Journal des Goncourt (Troisième série, troisième volume) by Edmond and Jules de Goncourt

The Journal des Goncourt is a nine-volume diary written by the French Goncourt brothers, Edmond (1822-1896) and Jules (1830-1870). It is a rich source of information on French literary and artistic life in the second half of the 19th century.

Third Series, Volume Three covers the years 1865 to 1870, a period of great upheaval in France. The Second Empire was collapsing, and the country was on the brink of war with Prussia. In the midst of this turmoil, the Goncourts continued to chronicle the lives of their literary and artistic acquaintances, as well as their own thoughts and observations on the world around them.

Some of the key themes of this volume include:

• The decline of the Second Empire and the rise of Republicanism
• The Franco-Prussian War
• The Paris Commune
• The Naturalist movement in literature
• The Impressionist movement in painting

The Goncourts' writing is often sharp and witty, and they offer a unique perspective on the events of their time. Journal des Goncourt is an essential resource for anyone interested in French history, literature, or art.

Here are some specific examples of the Goncourts' observations from this volume:

• On the decline of the Second Empire: "The Empire is dying... it is a corpse that is beginning to smell."
• On the Franco-Prussian War: "The war is a disaster... France is bleeding to death."
• On the Paris Commune: "The Commune is a nightmare... Paris is in flames."
• On the Naturalist movement in literature: "The Naturalists are the doctors of literature... they dissect society like corpses."
• On the Impressionist movement in painting: "The Impressionists are the revolutionaries of art... they are breaking all the rules."

Overall, Journal des Goncourt is a fascinating and insightful look at a pivotal period in French history. The Goncourts' writing is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and their observations offer valuable insights into the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped their time.