Thatismycharacteristic，though。Iamafirmfriendnevertheless，andtobedependedon。DonotforgetwhatIhavesaidnow，asIshallnotoftenrepeatthis。Remember，too，thathappinessinthisworlddependsontheinterestandesteemthatweinspire。

Idonotsaythistoeveryone，asitwouldbeimpossible，butjusttoacertainnumberoffriends。Itisimpossibletofindone’shappinessentirelyinone’sself，withoutbeinganegoist，andIdonotthinksobadlyofyouthatIimagineyoutobeone。

Amanwhomnoonecaresforiswretched，andthemanwhohasfriendsisafraidofgrievingthembybehavingbadly。AsPolytesays，allthisisforthesakeoflettingyouknowthatyoumustdoyourbesttobehavewell，ifyouwanttoprovetomethatyouarenotungratefulformyinterestinyou。Yououghttogetridofthebadhabitofboastingthatyouhaveadoptedthroughfrequentingyoungmenasfoolishasyourself。Dowhateveryourpositionandyourhealthallowyoutodo，providedthatyoudonotcompromisethehonourorthereputationofanyoneelse。

Idonotseethatayoungmaniscalledupontobeaschasteasanun。

Butkeepyourgoodorbadluckinyourloveaffairstoyourself。

Sillytalkisalwaysrepeated，anditmaychancetogettotheearsofsensiblepeoplewhowilldisapprove。Try，too，nottomakesomanyplans，buttocarryoutjustoneortwoofthem。YouknowthatiswhyIquarrelwithyoualways。Ishouldliketoseemoreconstancyinyou。YoutellHippolytethatyouareverywillingandcourageous。Astophysicalcourage，ofthekindthatconsistsinenduringillnessandinnotfearingdeath，Idaresayyouhavethat，butIdoubtverymuchwhetheryouhavethecouragenecessaryforsustainedwork，unlessyouhaveverymuchaltered。

Everythingfreshdelightsyou，butafteralittletimeyouonlyseetheinconveniencesofyourposition。Youwillscarcelyfindanythingwithoutsomethingthatisannoyingandtroublesome，butifyoucannotlearntoputupwiththingsyouwillneverbeaman。

"Thisistheendofmysermon。Iexpectyouhavehadenoughofit，especiallyasyouarenotaccustomedtoreadingmybadhandwriting。

Ishallbegladtohearfromyou，butdonotconsideryourletterasaStateaffair，anddonottormentyourselftoarrangewell—turnedphrases。Idonotcareforsuchphrasesatall。

Aletterisalwaysgoodenoughwhenthewriterexpresseshimselfnaturally，andsayswhathethinks。Finepagesareallverywellfortheschoolmaster，butIdonotappreciatethematall。

Promisemetobereasonable，andtothinkofmysermonsnowandthen。

ThatisallIask。YoumaybeverysurethatifitwerenotformyfriendshipforyouIshouldnottakethetroubletolectureyou。

Ishouldbeafraidofannoyingyouifitwerenotforthat。

Asitis，Iamsurethatyouarenotdispleasedtohavemylectures，andthatyouunderstandthefeelingwhichdictatesthem。

"Adieu，mydearAdolphe。Writetomeoftenandtellmealwaysaboutyouraffairs。Takecareofyourself，andtrytokeepwell；

butifyoushouldfeelillcomebacktoyournativeplace。

Therewillalwaysbemilkandsyrupforyou，andyouknowthatIamnotabadnurse。Everyonewishestoberememberedtoyou，andI

sendyoumyholyblessing。

"AURORED————"

{Theendoffootnote[5]}

Sheconsideredhimidle，andreproachedhimwithhislackofdignityandwithmakinghimselftoofamiliarwithhisinferiors。

Shecouldnotadmitthisfamiliarity，althoughshewascertainlyafriendofthepeopleandofthepeasants。Betweensympathyandfamiliaritytherewasadistinction，andAuroretookcarenottoforgetthis。Therewasalwayssomethingofthe_grandedame_

inher。Boucoiranwasdevoted，though，andshecountedonhimforlookingafterherchildren，forkeepingherstrictly_aucourant_，andlettingherknowincaseofillness。Perfectlyeasyonthisscore，shecouldliveinParisonanincomeofsixtypoundsbyaddingtoitwhatshecouldearn。

Casimirmadenoobjections。Allthathappenedlateroninthisexistence，whichwasfromhenceforthsostormy，happenedwithhisknowledgeandwithhisconsent。Hewasapoorsortofman。

Letusconsidernow，foramoment，BaronneDudevant’simpressionsaftersuchamarriage。Wewillnotspeakofhersadnessnorofherdisgust。

Inaunionofthiskind，howcouldthesacredandbeneficialcharacterofmarriagehaveappearedtoher？Ahusbandshouldbeacompanion。

Sheneverknewthecharmoftrueintimacy，northedelightofthoughtssharedwithanother。Ahusbandisthecounsellor，thefriend。

Whensheneededcounsel，shewasobligedtogoelsewhereforit，anditwasfromanothermanthatguidanceandencouragementcame。

Ahusbandshouldbetheheadand，Idonothesitatetosay，themaster。Lifeisaceaselessstruggle，andthemanwhohastakenuponhimselfthetaskofdefendingafamilyfromallthedangerswhichthreatenitsdissolution，fromalltheenemieswhichprowlaroundit，canonlysucceedinhistaskofprotectorifhebeinvestedwithjustauthority。Aurorehadbeentreatedbrutally：

thatisnotthesamethingasbeingdominated。Thesensationwhichneverleftherwasthatofanimmensemoralsolitude。

ShecouldnolongerdreamintheNohantavenues，fortheoldtreeshadbeenlopped，andthemysterychasedaway。Sheshutherselfupinhergrandmother’slittleboudoir，adjoiningherchildren’sroom，sothatshecouldhearthembreathing，andwhilstCasimirandHippolyteweregettingabominablyintoxicated，shesattherethinkingthingsover，andgraduallybecomingsoirritatedthatshefelttherebellionwithinhergatheringforce。Thematrimonialbondwasaheavyyoketoher。

AChristianwifewouldhavesubmittedtoitandacceptedit，buttheChristianityofBaronneDudevantwasnothingbutreligiosity。

Thetrialsoflifeshowuptheinsufficiencyofreligioussentimentwhichisnotaccompaniedbyfaith。Marriage，withoutlove，friendship，confidenceandrespect，wasforAuroremerelyaprison。

Sheendeavouredtoescapefromit，andwhenshesucceededsheutteredasighofreliefatherdeliverance。

Such，then，isthechapterofmarriageinBaronneDudevant’spsychology。

Itisafineexampleoffailure。Thewomanwhohadmarriedbadlynowremainedanindividual，insteadofharmonizingandblendinginageneralwhole。Thisill—assortedunionmerelyaccentuatedandstrengthenedGeorgeSand’sindividualism。

AuroreDudevantarrivedinParisthefirstweekoftheyear1831。

Thewomanwhowasrebellioustomarriagewasnowinacitywhichhadjusthadarevolution。

TheextraordinaryeffervescenceofParisin1831canreadilybeimagined。

Therewastempestintheair，andthistempestwasboundtobreakouthereorthere，eitherimmediatelyorinthenearfuture，inaninsurrection。Everyonewasfeverishlyanxioustodestroyeverything，inordertocreateallthingsanew。Ineverything，inart，ideasandevenincostume，therewasthesameexplosionofindiscipline，thesametriumphofcapriciousness。Everydaysomefreshsystemofgovernmentwasborn，somenewmethodofphilosophy，aninfalliblereceiptforbringingaboutuniversalhappiness，anunheard—ofideaformanufacturingmasterpieces，someinventionfordressingupandhavingaperpetualcarnivalinthestreets。

Theinsurrectionwaspermanentandmasqueradeanormalstate。

Besidesallthis，therewasamagnificentburstofyouthandgenius。

VictorHugo，proudofhavingfoughtthebattleof_Hernani_，wasthenthinkingof_Notre—Dame_andclimbinguptoit。

Mussethadjustgivenhis_Contesd’Espagneeld’Italie_。Stendhalhadpublished_LeRougeetleNoir_，andBalzac_LaPeaudeChagrin_。

ThepaintersofthedaywereDelacroixandDelaroche。PaganiniwasabouttogivehisfirstconcertattheOpera。SuchwasParisinallitsimpatienceandimpertinence，initsconfusionanditssplendourimmediatelyaftertheRevolution。

Theyoungwife，whohadsnappedherbondsasunder，breathedvoluptuouslyinthisatmosphere。ShewaslikeaprovincialwomanenjoyingParistothefull。Shebelongedtotheromanticschool，andwasimbuedwiththeprinciplethatanartistmustseeeverything，knoweverything，andhaveexperiencedhimselfallthatheputsintohisbooks。

ShefoundalittlegroupofherfriendsfromBerryinParis，amongothersFelixPyat，CharlesDuvernet，AlphonseFleury，SandeauanddeLatouche。Thiswasthebandshefrequented，youngmenapprenticedeithertoliterature，thelaw，ormedicine。

Withthemshelivedastudent’slife。Inordertofacilitatehervariousevolutions，sheadoptedmasculinedress。Inher_Histoitedemavie_shesays："Fashionhelpedmeinmydisguise，formenwerewearinglong，squarefrock—coatsstyleda_laproprietaire_。

Theycamedowntotheheels，andfittedthefiguresolittlethatmybrother，whenputtinghison，saidtomeonedayatNohant：

`Itisanicecut，isn’tit？Thetailortakeshismeasuresfromasentry—box，andthecoatthenfitsawholeregiment。’Ihad`asentry—boxcoat’made，ofroughgreycloth，withtrousersandwaistcoattomatch。Withagreyhatandahugecravatofwoollenmaterial，Ilookedexactlylikeafirst—yearstudent……"

Dressedinthisstyle，sheexploredthestreets，museums，cathedrals，libraries，painters’studios，clubsandtheatres。SheheardFrederickLemaitreoneday，andthenextdayMalibran。OneeveningitwasoneofDumas’pieces，andthenextnight_Moise_attheOpera。

Shetookhermealsatalittlerestaurant，andshelivedinanattic。

Shewasnotevensureofbeingabletopayhertailor，soshehadallthejoyspossible。"Ah，howdelightful，toliveanartist’slife！

Ourdeviceisliberty！"shewrote。[6]Shelivedinaperpetualstateofdelight，and，inFebruary，wrotetohersonMauriceasfollows：

"Everyoneisatloggerheads，wearecrushedtodeathinthestreets，thechurchesarebeingdestroyed，andwehearthedrumbeingbeatenallnight。"[7]InMarchshewrotetoCharlesDuvernet："Doyouknowthatfinethingsarehappeninghere？Itreallyisamusingtosee。

Wearelivingjustasgailyamongbayonetsandriotsasifeverythingwereatpeace。Allthisamusesme。"[8]

[6]_Correspondance_：ToBoucoiran，March4，1831。[7]_Ibid_。

ToMauriceDudevant，February15，I831。[8]_Ibid_。ToCharlesDuvernet，March6，1831。

Shewasamusedateverythingandsheenjoyedeverything。

Withherkeensensitiveness，sherevelledinthecharmofParis，andshethoroughlyappreciateditsscenery。

"Paris，"shewrote，"withitsvaporousevenings，itspinkcloudsabovetheroofs，andthebeautifulwillowsofsuchadelicategreenaroundthebronzestatueofouroldHenry，andthen，too，thedearlittleslate—colouredpigeonsthatmaketheirnestsintheoldmasksofthePontNeuf……"[9]

[9]UnpublishedlettersofDr。EmileRegnault。

ShelovedtheParissky，sostrange—looking，sorichincolouring，sovariable。[10]

[10]_Ibid_。

ShebecameunjustwithregardtoBerry。"AsforthatpartoftheworldwhichIusedtolovesodearlyandwhereIusedtodreammydreams，"shewrote，"Iwasthereattheageoffifteen，whenI

wasveryfoolish，andattheageofseventeen，whenIwasdreamyanddisturbedinmymind。Ithaslostitscharmformenow。"[11]

[11]_Ibid_。

Sheloveditagainlateron，certainly，butjustatthistimeshewasover—excitedwiththejoyofhernewly—foundliberty。Itwasthatreallywhichmadehersojoyfulandwhichintoxicatedher。

"Idonotwantsociety，excitement，theatres，ordress；whatIwantisfreedom，"shewrotetohermother。Inanotherlettershesays：

"Iamabsolutelyindependent。IgotoLaChatre，toRome。Istartoutatteno’clockoratmidnight。Ipleasemyselfentirelyinallthis。"[12]

[12]_Correspondance_：Tohermother，May31，1831。

Shewasfree，andshefanciedshewashappy。HerhappinessatthatepochmeantJulesSandeau。

Inaletter，writteninthehumoristicstyleinwhichshedelighted，shegivesusportraitsofsomeofhercomradesofthattime。

ShetellsusofDuvernet，ofAlphonseFleury，surnamed"theGaulois，"

andofSandeau。

"Oh，fair—hairedCharles！"shewrites，"youngmanofmelancholythoughts，withacharacterasgloomyasastormyday……

Andyou，giganticFleury，withyourimmensehandsandyouralarmingbeard……Andyou，dearSandeau，agreeableandlight，likethehummingbirdoffragrantsavannahs！"[13]

[13]_Correspondance_：December1，1830。

The"dearSandeau，agreeableandlight，likethehummingbirdoffragrantsavannahs，"wastobeBaronneDudevant’sLatinQuarter_liaison_。Herbiographersusuallypassoverthis_liaison_quickly，asinformationaboutitwasnotforthcoming。

Importantdocumentsexist，though，intheformoffiftyletterswrittenbyGeorgeSandtoDr。EmileRegnault，thenamedicalstudentandtheintimatefriendandconfidantofJulesSandeau，whokeptnothingbackfromhim。Hisson，Dr。PaulRegnault，haskindlyallowedmetoseethiscorrespondenceandtoreproducesomefragmentsofit。Itisextremelycurious，byturnlyricalandplayful，fullofeffusions，ideas，plansofwork，impressionsofnature，andconfidencesaboutherloveaffairs。Takenaltogetheritreflects，asnearlyaspossible，thestateoftheyoungwoman’smindatthistime。

ThefirstletterisdatedApril，1831。GeorgeSandhadleftParisforNohant，andisanxiouslywonderinghowherpoorJuleshaspassedthiswretchedday，andhowhewillgobacktotheroomfromwhichshehadtornherselfwithsuchdifficultythatmorning。

Inherlettershegivesutterancetothegratitudesheowestotheyoungmanwhohasreconciledheroncemoretolife。"Mysoul，"shesays，"eageritselfforaffection，neededtoinspirethisinaheartcapableofunderstandingmethoroughly，withallmyfaultsandqualities。

AferventsoulwasnecessaryforlovingmeinthewaythatI

couldlove，andforconsolingmeafteralltheingratitudewhichhadmademyearlierlifesodesolate。AndalthoughIamnowold，Ihavefoundaheartasyoungasmyown，alifelongaffectionwhichnothingcandiscourageandwhichgrowsstrongereveryday。

Juleshastaughtmetocareoncemoreforthisexistence，ofwhichI

wassoweary，andwhichIonlyenduredforthesakeofmychildren。

Iwasdisgustedbeforehandwiththefuture，butitnowseemsmorebeautifultome，fullasitappearstomeofhim，ofhiswork，hissuccess，andofhisupright，modestconduct……Oh，ifyouonlyknewhowIlovehim！……"[14]

[14]ThisquotationandthosethatfollowareborrowedfromtheunpublishedcorrespondencewithEmileRegnault。

"WhenIfirstknewhimIwasdisillusionedabouteverything，andI

nolongerbelievedinthosethingswhichmakeushappy。Hehaswarmedmyfrozenheartandrestoredthelifethatwasdyingwithinme。"

Shethenrecallstheirfirstmeeting。Itwasinthecountry，atCoudray，nearNohant。ShefellinlovewithherdearSandeau，thankstohisyouthfulness，histimidityandhisawkwardness。

Hewasjusttwenty，in1831。Onapproachingthebenchwhereshewasawaitinghim，"heconcealedhimselfinaneighbouringavenue——

andIcouldseehishatandstickonthebench，"shewrites。

"Everything，eventothelittleredribbonthreadedintheliningofhisgreyhat，thrilledmewithjoy……"

Itisdifficulttosaywhy，buteverythingconnectedwiththisyoungJulesseemsabsurd。Lateronwegetthefollowingstatement：

"UntilthedaywhenItoldhimthatIlovedhim，Ihadneveracknowledgedasmuchtomyself。IfeltthatIdid，butIwouldnotowniteventomyownheart。JulesthereforelearntitatthesametimeasIdidmyself。"

PeopleatLaChatretooktheyoungmanforherlover。TheideaoffindinghimagaininPariswasprobablyoneofherreasonsforwishingtoestablishherselfthere。Thencameherlife，asshedescribesitherself，"inthelittleroomlookingontothequay。

IcanseeJulesnowinashabby，dirty—lookingartist’sfrock—coat，withhiscravatunderneathhimandhisshirtopenatthethroat，stretchedoutoverthreechairs，stampingwithhisfeetorbreakingthetongsintheheatofthediscussion。TheGauloisusedtositinacornerweavinggreatplots，andyouwouldbeseatedonatable。

Allthismustcertainlyhavebeencharming。Theroomwastoosmall，though，andGeorgeSandcommissionedEmileRegnaulttofindheraflat，theessentialconditionofwhichshouldbesomewayofegressforJulesatanyhour。

AlittleflatwasdiscoveredontheQuaySt。Michel。Therewerethreerooms，oneofwhichcouldbereserved。"Thisshallbethedarkroom，"wroteGeorgeSand，"themysteriousroom，theghost’sretreat，themonster’sden，thecageoftheperforminganimal，thehiding—placeforthetreasure，thevampire’scave，orwhateveryouliketocallit……"

Inplainerlanguage，itwasJules’room；andthenfollowssometouchingeloquenceaboutthedearboysheworshippedwholovedhersodearly。

Thisisthebeginningofthings，butlateronthetoneofthecorrespondencechanges。Thelettersbecomelessfrequent，andarealsonotsogay。GeorgeSandspeaksmuchlessofJulesinthemandmuchmoreoflittleSolange，whomsheintendedtobringbacktoPariswithher。SheisbeginningtowearyofJulesandtoesteemhimathistruevalue。Heislazy，andhasfitsofdepressionandallthecapriciousnessofaspoiltchild。Shehashadenoughofhim，andthen，too，itisveryevidentfromthelettersthattherehasbeensomedivisionamongthelivelyfriendswhohadsworntobecomradesforlife。Thereareexplanationsandjustifications。

GeorgeSanddiscoversthattherearecertaininconveniencesconnectedwithintimaciesinwhichthereissuchdisproportionofageandofsocialposition。Finallytherearethefollowingdesperateletters，writteninfitsofirritation："Mydearfriend，gotoJulesandlookafterhim。Heisbroken—hearted，andyoucandonothingforhiminthatrespect。Itisnousetrying。

Idonotaskyoutocometomeyet，asIdonotneedanything。

Iwouldratherbealoneto—day。Then，too，thereisnothingleftformeinlife。Itwillbehorribleforhimforalongtime，butheissoyoung。Thedaywillcome，perhaps，whenhewillnotbesorrytohavelived……

Donotattempttoputmattersright，asthistimethereisnoremedy。

Wedonotblameeachotheratall，andforsometimewehavebeenstrugglingagainstthishorriblenecessity。Wehavehadtroubleenough。

Thereseemedtobenothingleftbuttoputanendtoourlives，andifithadnotbeenformychildren，weshouldhavedonethis。

Thequestionis，WasGeorgeSandblamelessinthematter？ItappearsthatshehaddiscoveredthatherdearJuleswasfaithlesstoher，andthat，duringherabsence，hehaddeceivedher。Shewouldnotforgivehim，butsenthimofftoItaly，andrefusedtoseehimagain。

ThelastoftheselettersisdatedJune15，1833。

"IshallmakeaparcelofafewofJules’thingsthatheleftinthewardrobe，"shesays，"andIwillsendthemtoyou。

Idonotwantanythingtodowithhimwhenhecomesback，and，accordingtothelastwordsoftheletteryoushowedme，hisreturnmaybesoon。ForalongtimeIhavebeenverymuchhurtbythediscoveriesImadewithregardtohisconduct，andIcouldnotfeelanythingelseforhimnowbutaffectionatecompassion。

Hispride，Ihope，wouldrefusethis。Makehimclearlyunderstand，ifnecessary，thattherecanneverbeanythingmorebetweenus。

Ifthishardtaskshouldnotbenecessary，thatis，ifJulesshouldhimselfunderstandthatitcouldnotbeotherwise，sparehimthesorrowofhearingthathehaslosteverything，evenmyrespect。

Hemustundoubtedlyhavelosthisownself—esteem，sothatheispunishedenough。"

Thusendedthisgreatpassion。ThiswasthefirstofGeorgeSand’serrors，anditcertainlywasanimmenseone。Shehadimaginedthathappinessreignsinstudents’rooms。Shehadcountedonthepassingfancyofayoungmanofgoodfamily，whohadcometoParistosowhiswildoats，forgivingherfreshzestandforcarvingoutforherselfafreshfuture。Itwasamostcommonplaceadventure，utterlydestituteofpsychology，andbyitsverybitternessitcontrastedstrangelywithherelevatedsentimentalromancewithAureliendeSeze。

Thatwasthequintessenceofrefinement。AllthatisinterestingaboutthissecondadventureistheproofthatitgivesusofGeorgeSand’swonderfulillusions，oftheintensityofthemirageofwhichshewasadupe，andofwhichwehavesomanyinstancesinherlife。

BaronneDudevanthadtriedconjugallife，andshehadnowtriedfreelove。Shehadbeenunsuccessfulinbothinstances。

Itistotheseadventuresthough，tothesetrials，errorsanddisappointmentsthatweowethewriterweareabouttostudy。

GeorgeSandwasnowborntoliterature。

III

AFEMINISTOF1832

THEFIRSTNOVELSANDTHEQUESTIONOFMARRIAGE

WhenBaronneDudevantarrivedinParis，in1831，herintentionwastoearnherlivingwithherpen。Sheneverreallycountedseriouslyontheincomeshemightmakebyhertalentforpaintingflowersonsnuff—boxesandornamentingcigar—caseswithwater—colours。Shearrivedfromherprovincewiththeintentionofbecomingawriter。

Likemostauthorswhocommence，shefirsttriedjournalism。

Onthe4thofMarch，shewroteasfollowstothefaithfulBoucoiran：

"InthemeantimeImustlive，andforthesakeofthat，Ihavetakenuptheworstoftrades：Iamwritingarticlesforthe_Figaro_。

Ifonlyyouknewwhatthatmeans！Theyarepaidfor，though，attherateofsevenfrancsacolumn。"

Sheevidentlyfounditworthwhiletowriteforthe_Figaro_，whichatthattimewasquiteasmallnewspaper，managedbyHenrideLatouche，whoalsocamefromBerry。Hewasaverysecond—ratewriterhimself，andapoetwithverylittletalentbut，atanyrate，heappreciatedanddiscoveredtalentinothers。HepublishedAndreChenier’sfirstwritings，andheintroducedGeorgeSandtothepublic。

Hisnewapprenticewasplacedatoneofthelittletablesatwhichthevariouspartsofthepaperweremanufactured。Unfortunatelyshehadnotthevocationforthiswork。Thefirstprinciplewithregardtonewspaperarticlesistomakethemshort。WhenAurorehadcometotheendofherpaper，shehadnotyetcommencedhersubject。

Itwasnouseattemptingtocontinue，soshegaveup"theworstoftrades，"lucrativethoughitmightbe。

Shecouldnothelpknowing，though，thatshehadthegiftofwriting。

Shehadinheriteditfromherancestors，andthisistheblestpartofheratavism。Nomatterhowfarbackwego，andineverybranchofhergenealogicaltree，thereisartistichereditytobefound。

MauricedeSaxewrotehis_Reveries_。Thiswasafinebookforasoldiertowrite，andforthatalonehewoulddeservepraise，evenifhehadnotbeatentheEnlishsogloriously。MademoiselleVerriereswasanactressandDupindeFrancueiladilettante。

Aurore’sgrandmother，Marie—Aurore，wasverymusical，shesangoperaticsongs，andcollectedextractsfromthephilosophers。

MauriceDupinwasdevotedtomusicandtothetheatre。

EvenSophie—Victoirehadaninnateappreciationofbeauty。

Shenotonlywept，likeMargot，atmelodrama，butshenoticedthepinkofacloud，themauveofaflower，and，whatwasmoreimportant，shecalledherlittledaughter’sattentiontosuchthings。

ThisilliteratemotherhadthereforehadsomeinfluenceonAuroreandonhertasteforliterature。

ItisnotenoughtosaythatGeorgeSandwasabornwriter。Shewasabornnovelist，andshebelongedtoacertaincategoryofnovelists。

ShehadbeencreatedbyaspecialdecreeofProvidencetowriteherownromances，andnotothers。Itisthiswhichmakesthehistoryofthefar—backoriginsofherliteraryvocationsointeresting。

Itisextremelycurioustosee，fromherearliestchildhood，thepromisesofthosefacultieswhichweretobecometheveryessenceofhertalent。Whenshewasonlythreeyearsold，hermotherusedtoputherbetweenfourchairsinordertokeepherstill。

Bywayofenliveninghercaptivity，shetellsuswhatshedid。

"Iusedtomakeupendlessstories，whichmymotherstyledmynovels……Itoldthesestoriesaloud，andmymotherdeclaredthattheyweremosttiresomeonaccountoftheirlengthandofthedevelopmentIgavetomydigressions……Therewereveryfewbadpeopleinthem，andneveranyserioustroubles。

Everythingwasalwaysarrangedsatisfactorily，thankstomylively，optimisticideas……"

Shehadalreadycommenced，then，attheageofthree，andtheseearlystoriesaretheprecursorsofthenovelsofhermaturity。

Theyareoptimistic，drawnout，andwithlongdigressions。

SomethingsimilaristoldaboutWalterScott。Thereisevidentlyaprimordialinstinctinthosewhoarebornstory—tellers，andthisurgesthemontoinventfinestoriesforamusingthemselves。

Alittlelateronwehaveanotherphenomenon，almostascurious，withregardtoAurore。Weareapttowonderhowcertaindescriptivewritersproceedinordertogiveuspictures，thevariousfeaturesofwhichstandoutinsuchintensereliefthattheyappearabsolutelyrealtous。GeorgeSandtellsusthatwhenBerquin’sstorieswerebeingreadtoheratNohant，sheusedtositinfrontofthefire，fromwhichshewasprotectedbyanoldgreensilkscreen。

Sheusedgraduallytolosethesenseofthephrases，butpicturesbegantoformthemselvesinfrontofheronthegreenscreen。

"Isawwoods，meadows，rivers，townsofstrangeandgiganticarchitecture……OnedaytheseapparitionsweresorealthatIwasstartledbythem，andIaskedmymotherwhethershecouldseethem。"

Withhallucinationsliketheseawritercanbepicturesque。

Hehasinfrontofhim，althoughitmaybebetweenfourwalls，acompletelandscape。Hehasonlytofollowthelinesofitandtoreproducethecolours，sothatinpaintingimaginarylandscapeshecanpaintthemfromnature，fromthismodelthatappearstohim，asthoughbyenchantment。Hecan，ifhelikes，counttheleavesofthetreesandlistentothesoundofthegrowinggrass。

Stilllateron，vaguereligiousorphilosophicalconceptionsbegantominglewiththefictionthatAurorealwayshadinhermind。

Toherpoeticallife，wasaddedamorallife。Shealwayshadaromancegoingon，towhichshewasconstantlyaddinganotherchapter，likesomanylinksinanever—endingchain。Shenowgaveaherotoherromance，aherowhosenamewasCorambe。Hewasherideal，amanwhomshehadmadehergod。Whilstbloodwasflowingfreelyonthealtarsofbarbarousgods，onCorambe’saltarlifeandlibertyweregiventoawholecrowdofcaptivecreatures，toaswallow，toarobin—redbreast，andeventoasparrow。Weseealreadyinallthishertendencytoputmoralintentionsintoherromanticstories，toarrangeheradventuresinsuchawaythattheyshouldserveasexamplesformakingmankindbetter。Thesewerethenovels，withapurpose，ofhertwelfthyear。

Letusnowstudyastrikingcontrast，bywayofobservingthefirstsignsofvocationintwototallydifferentnovelists。

Inthebeginningof_FacinoCane_，Balzactellsusanincidentofthetimewhen，asanaspiringwriter，helivedinhisatticintheRueLesdiguieres。Oneevening，oncomingoutofthetheatre，heamusedhimselfwithfollowingaworking—manandhiswifefromtheBoulevardduPontaux—ChouxtotheBoulevardBeaumarchais。

Helistenedtothemastheytalkedofthepiecetheyhadjustseen。

Theythendiscussedtheirbusinessmatters，andafterwardshouseandfamilyaffairs。"Whilelisteningtothiscouple，"saysBalzac，"Ienteredintotheirlife。Icouldfeeltheirclothesonmybackand，Iwaswalkingintheirshabbyboots。"

Thisisthenovelistoftheobjectiveschool，theonewhocomesoutofhimself，whoceasestobehimselfandbecomesanotherperson。

Insteadofthisexteriorworld，towhichBalzacadaptshimself，Auroretalkstousofaninnerworld，emanatingfromherownfancy，thereflectionofherownimagination，theechoofherownheart，whichisreallyherself。ThisexplainsthedifferencebetweenBalzac’simpersonalnovelandGeorgeSand’spersonalnovel。

Itisjustthedifferencebetweenrealisticart，whichgiveswaytotheobject，andidealisticart，whichtransformsthisaccordingtoitsownwillandpleasure。

UptothistimeGeorgeSand’sideashadnotbeenputontopaper。

Both_Corambe_andthestoriescomposedbetweenfourchairsweremerelyfanciesofachild’smind。Auroresoonbegantowrite，though。

Shehadcomposedtwonovelswhileintheconvent，oneofwhichwasreligiousandtheotherapastoralstory。Shewaswiseenoughtotearthembothup。OnleavingtheconventshewroteanothernovelforRene’deVilleneuve，andthissharedthesamefate。In1827，shewroteher_VoyageenAuvergne_，andin1829，anothernovel。

Inher_Histoiredemavie_shesaysofthis："Afterreadingit，Iwasconvincedthatitwasofnovalue，butatthesametimeIwassureIcouldwriteabetterone……IsawthatIcouldwritequicklyandeasily，andwithoutfeelinganyfatigue。Theideasthatwerelyingdormantinmymindwerequickenedandbecameconnected，bymydeductions，asIwrote。Withmymeditativelife，Ihadobservedagreatdeal，andhadunderstoodthevariouscharacterswhichFatehadputinmyway，sothatIreallyknewenoughofhumannaturetobeabletodepictit。"Shenowhadthatfacility，thatabundanceofmatterandthatnonchalancewhichweresuchcharacteristicfeaturesofherwriting。

WhenGeorgeSandbegantopublish，shehadalreadywrittenagreatdeal。

Herliteraryformationwascomplete。Wenoticethissamethingwheneverwestudytheearlyworkofawriter。Geniusisrevealedtous，perhaps，withasuddenflash，butithasbeenmakingitswayforalongtimeunderground，sothatwhatwetakeforaspontaneousburstofgeniusisnothingbutthefinaleffortofasapwhichhasbeenslowlyaccumulatingandwhichfromhenceforthisall—powerful。

GeorgeSandhadtogothroughtheinevitableperiodoffeelingherway。Wearegladtothinkthatthefirstbookshepublishedwasnotwrittenbyherselfalone，sothattheresponsibilityofthatexecrablenoveldoesnotliesolelywithher。

Onthe9thofMarch，1831，GeorgeSandwrotetoBoucoiranasfollows：

"Monstrositiesareinvogue，sowemustinventmonstrosities。

Iambringingforthaverypleasantonejustatpresent……"

ThiswasthenovelwrittenincollaborationwithSandeauwhichappearedunderthesignatureofJulesSandtowardstheendof1831。

Itwasentitled，_RoseetBlanche，oulaComedienneetlaReligieuse_。

Itbeginsbyasceneinacoach，ratherlikecertainnovelsbyBalzac，butaccompaniedbyinsignificantdetailsintheworsttasteimaginable。

Twogirlsaretravellinginthesamecoach。Roseisayoungcomedian，andSisterBlancheisabouttobecomeanun。TheyseparateatTarbes，andthesceneofthestoryislaidintheregionofthePyrenees，inTarbesAuch，Nerac，theLandes，andfinisheswiththereturntoParis。Rose，afteranentertainmentwhichisaveritableorgy，ishandedoverbyhermothertoalicentiousyoungman。

Heisashamedofhimself，and，insteadofleadingRoseastray，hetakeshertotheConventoftheAugustines，whereshefindsSisterBlancheoncemore。SisterBlanchehasnotyetpronouncedhervows，andtheproofofthisisthatshemarriesHorace。Butwhatawedding！

Asamatteroffact，SisterBlanchewasformerlynamedDenise。

ShewasthedaughterofaseafaringmanofBordeaux，andwasbothprettyandfoolish。Shehadbeendishonouredbytheyounglibertinewhomsheisnowtomarry。ThememoryofthepastcomesbacktoBlanche，andmakesherliveoveragainherlifeasDenise。InthemeantimeRosehadbecomeagreatsinger。Shenowarrives，justintimetobepresentatherfriend’sdeathbed。Sheenterstheconventherself，andtakestheplaceleftvacantbySisterBlanche。Thewholeofthisisabsurdandfrequentlyverydisagreeable。

Itisquiteeasytodistinguishthepartsduetothetwocollaborators，andtoseethatGeorgeSandwrotenearlyallthebook。Therearethelandscapes，TarbesAuch，Nerac，theLandes，andanumberofrecollectionsofthefamousjourneytothePyreneesandofherstayatGuillerywiththeDudevantfamily。TheConventoftheAugustinesinParis，withitsEnglishnunsanditsboardersbelongingtothebestfamilies，istheoneinwhichAurorespentthreeyears。

Thecloistercanberecognized，thegardenplantedwithchestnuttrees，andthecellfromwhichtherewasaviewoverthecity。

AllherdreamsseemedsonearHeaventhere，fortherich，cloudyskywassonear——"thatmostbeautifulandever—changingsky，perhapsthemostbeautifulintheworld，"ofwhichwereadin_RoseetBlanche_。Buttogetherwiththisromanceofreligiouslifeisalibertinenovelwithstoriesoforgies，ofacertainprivatehouse，andofveryriskyandunpleasantepisodes。Thisisthecollaborator’sshareinthework。TheriskypartsareSandeau’s。

Such，then，isthishybridcomposition。Itwas，inreality，themonstrosityannouncedbyGeorgeSand。

Ithadacertainsuccess，butthepersonwhowasmostsevereinherjudgmentofitwasSophie—Victoire，GeorgeSand’smother，whohadveryprudishtastesinliterature。Thiswomanisperfectlydelightful，andeverytimewecomeacrossheritisafreshjoy。

Herdaughterwasobligedtomakesomeexcuseforherself，andthisshedidbystatingthattheworkwasnotentirelyherown。

"Idonotapproveofagreatdealofthenonsense，"shewrites，"andIonlyletcertainthingspasstopleasemypublisher，whowantedsomethingratherlively……Idonotliketheriskypartsmyself……"Lateroninthesameletter，sheadds：

"ThereisnothingofthekindinthebookIamwritingnow，andIamusingnothingofmycollaborator’sinthis，excepthisname。"[15]

[15]_Correspondance_：Tohermother，February22，1832。

Thiswastrue。JulesSandhadhadhisday，andthebookofwhichshenowspeakswas_Indiana_。Shesignedthis"GeorgeSand。"

TheunpublishedcorrespondencewithEmileRegnault，somefragmentsofwhichwehavejustread，containsamostinterestingletterconcerningthecompositionof_Indiana_。ItisdatedFebruary28，1832。GeorgeSandfirstinsistsontheseverityofthesubjectandonitsresemblancetolife。"Itisassimple，asnaturalandaspositiveasyoucouldwish，"shesays。

"Itisneitherromantic，mosaic，norfrantic。Itisjustordinarylifeofthemost_bourgeois_kind，butunfortunatelythisismuchmoredifficultthanexaggeratedliterature……Thereisnottheleastwordputinfornothing，notasingledescription，notavestigeofpoetry。Therearenounexpected，extraordinary，oramazingsituations，butmerelyfourvolumesonfourcharacters。

Withonlyjustthesecharacters，thatis，withhiddenfeelings，everydaythoughts，withfriendship，love，selfishness，devotion，self—respect，persistency，melancholy，sorrow，ingratitude，disappointment，hope，andallthemixed—upmedleyofthehumanmind，isitpossibletowritefourvolumeswhichwillnotborepeople？

Iamafraidofboringpeople，ofboringthemaslifeitselfdoes。

Andyetwhatismoreinterestingthanthehistoryoftheheart，whenitisatruehistory？Themainthingistowritetruehistory，anditisjustthatwhichissodifficult……"

Thisdeclarationisrathersurprisingtoanyonewhoreadsitto—day。Wemightaskwhetherwhatwasnaturalin1832wouldbenaturalin1910？Thatisnotthequestionwhichconcernsus，though。TheimportantfacttonoteisthatGeorgeSandwasnolongerattemptingtomanufacturemonstrosities。Shewasendeavouringtobetrue，andshewantedaboveeverythingelsetopresentacharacterofwomanwhowouldbethetypicalmodernwoman。

"Noemi（thisnamewasafterwardslefttoSandeau，whohaduseditin_Marianna_。GeorgeSandchangedittothatof_Indiana_）

isatypicalwoman，strongandweak，tiredevenbytheweightoftheair，butcapableofholdingupthesky；timidineverydaylife，butdaringindaysofbattle；shrewdandcleverinseizingtheloosethreadsofordinarylife，butsillyandstupidindistinguishingherowninterestswhenitisaquestionofherhappiness；caringlittlefortheworldatlarge，butallowingherselftobedupedbyoneman；

nottroublingmuchaboutherowndignity，butwatchingoverthatoftheobjectofherchoice；despisingthevanitiesofthetimesasfarassheisconcerned，butallowingherselftobefascinatedbythemanwhoisfullofthesevanities。This，Ibelieve，"

shesays，"istheusualwoman，anextraordinarymixtureofweaknessandenergy，ofgrandeurandoflittleness，abeingevercomposedoftwooppositenatures，attimessublimeandattimesdespicable，cleverindeceivingandeasilydeceivedherself。"

Thisnovel，intendedtopresenttousthemodernwoman，oughttobestyleda"feministnovel。"Itwasalso，asregardsotherpointsofview。_Indiana_appearedinMay，1832，_Valentine_in1833，and_Jacques_in1834。InthesethreebooksIshouldliketoshowourpresentfeminism，alreadyarmed，andintroducedtousaccordingtoGeorgeSand’searlyideas。

_Indiana_isthestoryofawomanwhohadmadeanunfortunatemarriage。

AttheageofnineteenshehadmarriedColonelDelmare。

Colonelswereverymuchinvogueinthosedays，andthefactthathehadattainedthatrankprovesthathewasmucholderthanshewas。

ColonelDelmarewasanhonest，straightforwardmaninthePharisaicalsenseoftheword。Thissimplymeansthathehadneverrobbedorkilledanyone。Hehadnodelicacyandnocharm，and，fondashewasofhisownauthority，hewasadomestictyrant。

Indianawasveryunhappybetweenthisexecrablehusbandandacousinofhers，Ralph，amanwhoistwiceoverEnglish，inthefirstplacebecausehisnameisBrown，andthenbecauseheisphlegmatic。

Ralphisdelightfulandmostexcellent，anditisonhisaccountthatsheisinsensibletothecharmsofRaymondeRamieresanelegantanddistinguishedyoungmanwhoisaveritablelady—killer。

Spaceforbidsustogointoalltheepisodesofthisstory，butthecrisisisthatColonelDelmareisruined，andhisbusinessaffairscallhimtotheIsleofBourbon。HeintendstotakeIndianawithhim，butsherefusestoaccompanyhim。SheknowsquitewellthatRaymonwilldoallhecantopreventhergoing。Shehurriesawaytohim，offersherselftohim，andvolunteerstoremainwithhimalways。

ItisunnecessarytogiveRaymon’sreplytothischarmingproposal。

PoorIndianareceivesaverywetblanketonacoldwinter’snight。

ShethereforestartsfortheIsleofBourbon，and，sometimeafterherarrivalthere，shegetsaletterfromRaymonwhichmakesherthinkthatheisveryunhappy。Sheaccordinglyhastensbacktohim，butisreceivedbytheyoungwifewhomRaymonhasjustmarried。Itisaverybrilliantmarriage，andRaymoncouldnothavehopedforanythingmoresatisfactory。PoorIndiana！

TheSeine，however，isquitenear，andshethrowsherselfintoit。

Thiswasquitesafe，asRalphwastheretofishheroutagain。

Ralphwasalwaysathandtofishhiscousinoutofeverything。

Heisherappointedrescuer，herNewfoundlanddog。Inthecountryorinthetown，on_terrafirma_orontheboatwhichtakesIndianatotheIsleofBourbon，wealwaysseeRalphturnup，phlegmaticasusual。UnnecessarytosaythatRalphisinlovewithIndiana。Hisapparentcalmnessisputonpurposely。

Itisthesnowycoveringunderwhichavolcanoisburning。

Hisawkwardandunprepossessingappearanceconcealsanexquisitesoul。

RalphbringsIndianagoodnews。ColonelDelmareisdead，sothatsheisfree。Whatwillshedonowwithherliberty？

Afterduedeliberation，RalphandIndianadecidetocommitsuicide，buttheyhavetoagreeaboutthekindofdeaththeywilldie。

Ralphconsidersthatthisisamatterofcertainimportance。

HedoesnotcaretokillhimselfinParis；therearetoomanypeopleabout，sothatthereisnotranquillity。TheIsleofBourbonseemstohimapleasantplaceforasuicide。Therewasamagnificenthorizonthere；then，too，therewasaprecipiceandawaterfall……

Ralph’shappyideasaresomewhatsinister，butthecouplesetoutneverthelessfortheIsleofBourboninsearchofapropitiouswaterfall。Asea—voyage，undersuchcircumstances，wouldbeanexcellentpreparation。Whenoncethere，theycarryouttheirplans，andRalphgiveshisbelovedwiseadviceatthelastmoment。Shemustnotjumpfromtheside，asthatwouldbebad。

"Throwyourselfintothewhitelinethatthewaterfallmakes，"

hesays。"Youwillthenreachthelakewiththat，andthetorrentwillplungeyouin。"Thissoundsenticing。

Suchasuicidewasconsideredinfinitelypoeticalatthatepoch，andeveryonepitiedIndianainhertroubles。Itiscurioustoreadsuchbookscalmlyalongtimeafterwards，bookswhichreflectsoexactlythesentimentsofacertainepoch。Itiscurioustonotehowthepointofviewhaschanged，andhowpeopleandthingsappeartousexactlythereverseofwhattheyappearedtotheauthorandtocontemporaries。

Asamatteroffact，theonlyinterestingpersoninallthisisColonelDelmare，or，atanyrate，heistheonlyoneofwhomIndianacouldnotcomplain。Helovedher，andhelovednooneelsebuther。

ThelikecannotbesaidforIndiana。Fewhusbandswouldimitatehispatienceandforbearance，andhecertainlyallowedhiswifethemostextraordinaryfreedom。Atonetimewefind，ayoungmaninIndiana’sbedroom，andatanothertimeIndianainayoungman’sbedroom。

ColonelDelmarereceivesRaymonathishouseinafriendlyway，andhetoleratesthepresenceofthesempiternalRalphinhishome。

Whatmorecanbeaskedofahusbandthantoallowhiswifetohaveamanfriendandacousin？IndianadeclaresthatColonelDelmarehasstruckher，andthatthemarkisleftonherface。

Sheexaggerated，though，asweknowquitewellwhattookplace。

InrealityallthiswasatPlessis—Picard。Delmare—DudevantstruckIndiana—Aurore。Thiswascertainlytoomuch，buttherewasnobloodshed。

Astotheotherpersonages，Raymonisawretchedlittlerascal，whowasfirsttheloverofIndiana’smaid。HenextmadelovetopoorNoun’smistress，andthendesertedhertomakearichmarriage。

RalphplungesIndianadownaprecipice。Thatwascertainlybadtreatmentforthewomanheloved。AsregardsIndiana，GeorgeSandhonestlybelievedthatshehadgivenherallthecharmsimaginable。

Asamatteroffact，shedidcharmthereadersofthattime。

Itisfromthismodelthatwehaveoneofthefavouritetypesofwomaninliteratureforthenexttwentyyears——themisunderstoodwoman。

Themisunderstoodwomanispale，fragile，andsubjecttofainting。

Uptopage99ofthebook，Indianahasfaintedthreetimes。Ididnotcontinuecounting。Thisfaintingwasnottheresultofbadhealth。

Itwasthefashiontofaint。Thedaysofnervesandlanguidairshadcomeback。Thewomenwhosegrandmothershadwalkedsofirmlytothescaffold，andwhosemothershadlistenedbravelytothefiringofthecannonundertheEmpire，werenowdepressedandtearful，likesomanyplaintiveelegies。Itwasjustamatteroffashion。

Themis—

understoodwomanwassupposedtobeunhappywithherhusband，butshewouldnothavebeenanyhappierwithanotherman。IndianadoesnotfindfaultwithColonelDelmareforbeingthehusbandthatheis，butsimplyforbeingthehusband！

"Shedidnotloveherhusband，forthemerereason，perhaps，thatshewastolditwasherdutytolovehimandthatithadbecomehersecondnature，aprincipleandalawofherconsciencetoresistinwardlyallmoralconstraint。"Sheaffectedamostirritatinggentleness，anexasperatingsubmissiveness。Whensheputonhersuperior，resignedairs，itwasenoughtounhingeanangel。Besides，whatwastheretocomplainabout，andwhyshouldshenotaccommodateherselftoconditionsofexistencewithwhichsomanyothersfallin？

Shemustnotbecomparedtoothers，though。Sheiseminentlyadistinguishedwoman，andsheaskswithoutshrinking："DoyouknowwhatitmeanstoloveawomansuchasIam？"

Inherlongsilencesandherpersistentmelancholy，sheisnodoubtthinkingoftheloveappropriatetoawomansuchassheis。

Shewasaprincessinexileandtimeswerethenhardforprincesses。

Thatiswhytheoneinquestiontookrefugeinherhomesicksorrow。

Allthisiswhatpeoplewillnotunderstand。Insteadofrisingtosuchsublimities，orofbeinglostinfogs，theyjudgefrommerefacts。Andoncomingacrossayoungwifewhoisinclinedtopreferahandsome，darkyoungmantoahusbandwhoisturninggrey，theyareapttoconclude："Well，thisisnotthefirsttimewehavemetwithasimilarcase。Itishardlyworthwhilemakingsuchafussaboutayoungplagueofawomanwhowantstogotothebad。"

Itwouldbeveryunjust，though，nottorecognizethat_Indiana_

isamostremarkablenovel。Thereisacertainreliefinthevariouscharacters，ColonelDelmare，Raymon，RalphandInaiana。

Weoughttoquestionthehusbandswhomarriedwivesbelongingtotheraceofmisunderstoodwomenbroughtintovogueby_Indiana_。

_Valentine_，too，isthestoryofawomanunhappilymarried。

Thistimethechief_role_isgiventothelover，andnottothewoman。

Insteadofthemisunderstoodwoman，though，wehavethetypicalfrenziedlover，createdbytheromanticschool。Louise—ValentinedeRaimbaultisabouttomarryNorbert—EvaristedeLansac，whensuddenlythisyoungperson，whoisaccustomedtogoingaboutinthecountryroundandtothevillagefetes，fallsinlovewiththenephewofoneofherfarmers。Theyoungman’snameisBenedict，andheisapeasantwhohashadsomeeducation。Hismentalityisprobablythatofapresent—dayelementaryschool—teacher。Valentinecannotresisthim，althoughwearetoldthatBenedictisnotveryhandsome。

ItishissoulwhichValentinelovesinhim。BenedictknowsverywellthathecannotmarryValentine，buthecancauseheragreatdealofannoyancebywayofprovinghislove。Onthenightoftheweddingheisinthenuptialchamber，fromwhichtheauthorhastakencaretobanishthehusbandforthetimebeing。Benedictwatchesovertheslumberofthewomanheloves，andleavesheranepistleinwhichhedeclaresthat，afterhesitatingwhetherheshouldkillherhusband，her，orhimself，orwhetherheshouldkillallthree，oronlyselecttwoofthethree，andafteradoptinginturneachofthesecombinations，hehasdecidedtoonlykillhimself。Heisfoundinaditchinaterribleplight，butwearebynomeansridofhim。

Benedictisnotdead，andhehasagreatdealofharmtodoyet。

Weshallmeetwithhimagainseveraltimes，alwayshiddenbehindcurtains，listeningtoallthatissaidandwatchingallthattakesplace。

Attherightmomenthecomesoutwithhispistolinhishand。

Thehusbandisawayduringallthistime。Noonetroublesabouthim，though。Heisabadhusband，orratherheis——ahusband，andBenedicthasnothingtofearasfarasheisconcerned。

Butonedayapeasant，whodoesnotlikethelooksofBenedict，attackshimwithhispitchforkandputsanendtothisvaluablelife。

Thequestionarises，bywhatrightBenedictdisturbsValentine’stranquillity。Theanswerisbytherightofhispassionforher。

Hehasanincomeofabouttwentypoundsayear。Itwouldbeimpossibleforhimtomarryonthat。Whathashetooffertothewomanwhosepeaceofmindhedisturbsandwhosepositionheruins？Heoffershimself。

Surelythatshouldbeenough。Then，too，itisimpossibletoreasonwithindividualsofhistemperament。Wehaveonlytolookathim，withhissicklypallorandtherestlesslightinhiseyes。Wehaveonlytolistentothesoundofhisvoiceandhisexcitedspeeches。

Attimeshegoesinforwilddeclamation，andimmediatelyafterwardsforcoldironyandsarcasm。Heisalwaystalkingofdeath。

Whenheattemptstoshoothimselfhealwaysmisses，butwhenAdeled’Herveyresistshim，atthetimehehastakenthenameofAntony，hekillsher。Heisthereforeadangerousmadman。

Wenowhavetwofreshpersonagesfornovels，themisunderstoodwomanandthefrenziedlover。Itisapitytheydonotmarryeachother，andsoridusofthem。

Wemustnotlosesight，though，ofthefactthat，contestableas_Valentine_certainlyisasanovelofpassion，thereisapastoralnovelofthehighestordercontainedinthisbook。Thesettingofthestoryisdelightful。GeorgeSandhasplacedthesceneinthatBlackValleywhichsheknewsowellandlovedsodearly。

Itisthefirstofhernovelsinwhichshecelebratesherbirthplace。

Therearewalksalongthecountrypathways，longmeditationsatnight，villageweddingsandfetes。Allthepoetryandallthepicturesquenessofthecountrytransformandembellishthestory。

In_Jacques_wehavethehistoryofamanunhappilymarried，andthis，throughthereciprocitywhichisinevitableunderthecircumstances，isanotherstoryofawomanunhappilymarried。

Attheageofthirty—five，afterastormyexistence，inwhichyearscountdouble，JacquesmarriesFernande，awomanmuchyoungerthanheis。Afterafewunhappymonthsheseesthefirstcloudsappearinginhishorizon。HesendsforhissisterSylviatocomeandlivewithhimselfandhiswife。Sylvia，likeJacques，isanexceptionalindividual。Sheisproud，haughtyandreserved。

Itcanreadilybeimaginedthat，thepresenceofthispythonessdoesnottendtorestoretheconfidencewhichhasbecomesomewhatshakenbetweenthehusbandandwife。AyoungmannamedOctave，whowasatfirstattractedbySylvia，soonbeginstopreferFernande，whoisnotaromantic，ironicalandsarcasticwomanlikehersister—in—law。HefanciesthatheshouldbeveryhappywiththegentleFernande。JacquesdiscoversthatOctaveandhiswifeareinlovewitheachother。Therearevariousalternativesforhim。

Hecandismisshisrival，killhim，ormerelypardonhim。

Eachalternativeisaveryordinarywayoutofthedifficulty，andJacquescannotresignhimselftoanythingordinary。Hethereforeaskshiswife’sloverwhetherhereallycaresforhiswife，whetherheisinearnest，andalsowhetherthisattachmentwillbedurable。

Quitesatisfiedwiththeresultofthisexamination，heleavesFernandetoOctave。Hethendisappearsandkillshimself，buthetakesallnecessaryprecautionstoavertthesuspicionofsuicide，inordernottosaddenOctaveandFernandeintheirhappiness。

Hehadnotbeenabletokeephiswife’slove，buthedoesnotwishtobethejailerofthewomanwhonolongerloveshim。Fernandehasarighttohappinessand，ashehasnotbeenabletoensurethathappiness，hemustgiveplacetoanotherman。Itisacaseofsuicideasaduty。Thereareinstanceswhenahusbandshouldknowthatitishisdutytodisappear……Jacquesis"astoic。"

GeorgeSandhasagreatadmirationforsuchcharacters。ShegivesusherfirstsketchofoneinRalph，butJacquesispresentedtousasasublimebeing。

Personally，Ilookuponhimasameregreenhorn，or，aswouldbesaidinWagner’sdramas，a"puresimpleton。"

Hedideverythingtoruinhishomelife。Hisyoungwifehadconfidenceinhim；shewasgayandnaive。Hewentabout，foldinghisarmsinatragicway。Hewasabsent—mindedandgloomy，andshebegantobeawedbyhim。Oneday，when，inhersorrowforhavingdispleasedhim，sheflungherselfonherknees，sobbing，insteadofliftingheruptenderly，hebrokeawayfromhercaresses，tellingherfuriouslytogetupandnevertobehaveinsuchawayagaininhispresence。Afterthisheputshissister，the"bronzewoman，"

betweenthem，andheinvitesOctavetolivewiththem。Whenhehasthusdestroyedhiswife’saffectionforhim，inspiteofthefactthatatonetimeshewishedfornothingbetterthantolovehim，hegoesawayandgivesupthewholething。Allthatistooeasy。

OneofMeilhac’sheroinessaystoaman，whodeclaresthatheisgoingtodrownhimselfforhersake，"Ohyes，thatisallveryfine。

Youwouldbetranquilatthebottomofthewater！Butwhataboutme？……"

InthisinstanceJacquesistranquilatthebottomofhisprecipice，butFernandeisaliveandnotatalltranquil。Jacquesneverrisestotheverysimpleconceptionofhisduty，whichwasthat，havingmadeawomanthecompanionofhislife’sjourney，hehadnorighttodesertherontheway。

Ratherthanblamehimself，though，Jacquesprefersincriminatingtheinstitutionofmarriage。Thecriticismofthisinstitutionisveryplaininthenovelweareconsidering。InherformernovelsGeorge，Sandtreatedallthisinamoreorlessvagueway。

Shenowstateshertheoryclearly。Jacquesconsidersthatmarriageisabarbarousinstitution。"Ihavenotchangedmyopinion，"

hesays，"andIamnotreconciledtosociety。Iconsidermarriageoneofthemostbarbarousinstitutionseverinvented。

Ihavenodoubtthatitwillbeabolishedwhenthehumanspeciesmakesprogressinthedirectionofjusticeandreason。Somebondthatwillbemorehumanandjustassacredwilltaketheplaceofmarriageandprovideforthechildrenbornofawomanandaman，withoutfetteringtheirlibertyforever。Menaretoocoarseatpresent，andwomentoocowardly，toaskforanoblerlawthantheirononewhichgovernsthem。Forindividualswithoutconscienceandwithoutvirtue，heavychainsarenecessary。"

WealsohearSylvia’sideasandtheplanssheproposestoherbrotherforthetimewhenmarriageisabolished。

"Wewilladoptanorphan，imaginethatitisourchild，andbringitupinourprinciples。Wecouldeducateachildofeachsex，andthenmarrythemwhenthetimecame，beforeGod，withnoothertemplethanthedesertandnopriestbutlove。Weshouldhaveformedtheirsoulstorespecttruthandjustice，sothat，thankstous，therewouldbeonepureandhappycoupleonthefaceoftheearth。"

Thesuppressionofmarriage，then，wastheidea，and，inafuturemoreorlessdistant，freelove！

ItisinterestingtodiscoverbywhatseriesofdeductionsGeorgeSandproceedsandonwhatprinciplesshebaseseverything。

Whenonceherprinciplesareadmitted，theconclusionshedrawsfromthemisquitelogical。

Whatisheressentialobjectiontomarriage？Thefactthatmarriagefettersthelibertyoftwobeings。"Societydictatestoyoutheformulaofanoath。Youmustswearthatyouwillbefaithfulandobedienttome，thatyouwillneverloveanyonebutme，andthatyouwillobeymeineverything。Oneofthoseoathsisabsurdandtheothervile。Youcannotbeanswerableforyourheart，evenifIwerethegreatestandmostperfectofmen。"Nowcomesthequestionofloveforanotherman。Untilthenitwasconsideredthatsuchlovewasaweakness，andthatitmightbecomeafault。

But，afterall，isnotpassionafatalandirresistiblething？

"Nohumancreaturecancommandlove，andnooneistobeblamedforfeelingitorforceasingtofeelit。Whatlowersawomanisuntruth。"

Alittlefartheronwearetold："Theyarenotguilty，fortheyloveeachother。Thereisnocrimewherethereissincerelove。"

Accordingtothistheory，theunionofmanandwomandependsonlovealone。Whenlovedisappears，theunioncannotcontinue。

Marriageisahumaninstitution，butpassionisofDivineessence。

Incaseofanydissension，itisalwaystheinstitutionofmarriagewhichistobeblamed。

Thesoleendinviewofmarriageischarm，eitherthatofsentimentorthatofthesenses，anditssoleobjectistheexchangeoftwofancies。Astheoathoffidelityiseitherastupidityoradegradation，cananythingmoreopposedtocommonsense，andamoreabsoluteignoranceofallthatisnobleandgreat，beimaginedthantheeffortmankindismaking，againstallthechancesofdestructionbywhichheissurrounded，toaffirm，infaceofallthatchanges，hiswillandintentiontocontinue？

Weallremembertheheart—rendinglamentationofDiderot：

"Thefirstpromisesmadebetweentwocreaturesofflesh，"

hesays，"weremadeatthefootofarockcrumblingtodust。

TheycalledonHeaventobeawitnessoftheirconstancy，buttheskiesintheHeavenabovethemwereneverthesameforaninstant。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读