The influence of industrialism on French imaginative literature, prose, 1830-70

Abstract

The state of knowledge concerning the reflection of the Industrial Revolution in French prose is at best imperfect for the subject is one that has not hitherto been investigated. Yet the effect produced by this revolution on the writers between 1830 and 1870 was not only not negligible but in many cases left a deep mark on them. After outlining the industrial progress achieved together with its social consequences, an examination is made of the reactions of the outstanding sociologists and economists to le machinisme. Next an attempt is made to show how la Bourgeoisie, with its respect for riches and social prominence, its deep preoccupation with economic interests and material prosperity would be inimical to the prolongation of the Romantic Movement. To further emphasise the role Industry was assuming in Society attention is drawn to the importance of the many Industrial Exhibitions held before l870. Then follows an investigation into the transformation of the Press by the introduction of publicity and the appearance of the roman feuilleton as being the first manifestation of the influence of Industry in literature. From the newspapers to the stage: the vaudevillistes and playwrights bear witness to the predominance of la Question d'argent and to the invasion of the Press by les hommes d'affaires.