Trinitarian Unity in La Tentation de saint Antoine

Flaubert talked repeatedly of 'un nouveau plan' he was creating for the last version of La Tentation de saint Antoine (1874). This design remains puzzling despite the work of superb critics. It may be possible, however, to gain further understanding by paying particular attention to the many references to the Christian Triune God and to Athanasius, the theologian who, ably seconded by Antoine, was important in the fourth-century definition of Trinity. The novel's first three parts present the major categories of sin, which of course can be summarized as rebellion against God. The second three parts insist on the importance of the spiritual heresies (Part IV), the heretical gods formed from matter (Part V), and the heresy of philosophical idealism (Part VI). Finally, the saint turns to reality where spirit, body and mind are united (Part VII). He discovers this trinity in a 'simple' cell and in himself. Accepting himself as a human being, he bows to God and receives the reward of peace and, as well, a vision of the Trinity

Art · Art history · Humanities · SAINT · French Literature and Criticism · Historical and Literary Studies · Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis

• "Infinitizing" Flaubert

  Rajeshwari Vallury•Modern Language Notes•2019

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• Introduction

  Luke Sunderland•French Studies•2016

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