French Literature Reviews - 2026
A. Dabezies, Des rêves au réel. Cinq siècles de Faust. Littérature, idéologie et mythe
Other Literary Studies
Review published in Acta Fabula (February 2017, vol. 18, no. 2) : Une histoire littéraire de Faust, des origines du mythe à nos jours by Sophie Coudray.
André Dabezies, Des rêves au réel. Cinq siècles de Faust. Littérature, idéologie et mythe
Paris : Honoré Champion, coll. "Bibliothèque de littérature générale et comparée", 2015.
EAN 9782745328809
608 p.
Price: €100
Publisher's overview:
Faust is undoubtedly the mythical figure that recurs most frequently in both our literature and our cultural imagination.
Although rooted in 16th-century folk tales, Goethe, and the Romantics, Faust is perhaps the only character in whom contemporary humanity readily recognizes its own reflection. Many view him as a model for 21st-century humanity, dreaming of mastery over the world. Others read his tragedy rather as that of modern man, caught between his ambitions and the perils of technology or politics.
Faust strives for success while grappling with the weight of evil within concrete history and within himself. He questions the paths to be taken toward the human being of tomorrow, yet alongside the poet Pierre Emmanuel, we recognize in him the tragedy inherent in humanity's infinite desire, serving as the dialectical condition of the creature.
In teaching comparative literature, André Dabezies drew upon a classical humanities background and proficiency in several modern languages. Throughout his studies in Bordeaux, Lyon, Munich, Ottawa, Paris, and New York, he explored philosophy, history, theology, and more specifically the role of literary myths in modern mentalities.
The Faust figure occupies a central place in the European cultural imagination, evolving from sixteenth-century folk traditions into a persistent symbol of human ambition and hubris. By examining how successive literary generations have reinterpreted the legend, this volume offers a broad comparative perspective on the development of modern mentalities. The study traces the transition from foundational texts, such as those by Goethe and the Romantic writers, to contemporary reflections on technology, politics, and the individual conscience within history.
André Dabezies approaches the subject through the lens of comparative literature, drawing on an interdisciplinary background that encompasses philosophy, history, and theology. The book serves as a valuable resource for scholars and students of comparative literature, cultural history, and the history of ideas. It addresses fundamental questions regarding humanity's drive for mastery and the moral implications of progress, making it particularly useful for readers interested in the enduring afterlife of myth in modern literature.