We will talk about the work written by the outstanding French writer Stendhal. “Parma Monastery” is the author’s most famous work. This is the third and last novel created by him. The work was written in incredible haste - in just 52 days. Among other things, the "Parma monastery" has made a significant contribution to world literature. Stendhal innovatively approached the image of battle scenes and the personality of the characters. This article will reflect the summary of the work, its analysis and reader feedback.
Stendhal, "Parma Monastery": a summary. Tie
The protagonist is the youngest son of the Marquis of Dongo, Fabrizio. His childhood passed in a family castle surrounded by loved ones - he had two sisters and an older brother. By the age of seventeen, Fabrizio had turned into an attractive, slender, tall and smiling young man who was passionately passionate about Napoleon. Upon learning that his army had landed in the bay of Juan, he, under a false name, goes there to join the ranks of the soldiers of the emperor.
The young man manages to participate in the Battle of Waterloo, but Napoleon is defeated. The market-maker advises Fabrizio to return home, and he decides to follow the advice. But on the way back, he finds out that his older brother has informed him, and now the police are looking for him as a conspirator.
Mother takes the hero to Milan, hoping for the protection of the powers that be. But this does not help, and Fabrizio is forced to go into voluntary exile. Gina, the hero’s sister, falls in love with the count, but he is married. Therefore, the girl agrees to a fictitious marriage with the Duke of Sanseverin, which allows her to settle in Parma, as well as be represented in the court. Soon her home begins to enjoy incredible popularity in the world.
Palace life and first love
Stendhal depicted the palace life of his time very well. The “Parma monastery” allows the reader to understand what the relations of the nobility were based on. So, at the royal court there were two warring parties. Their influence depends on the will of the monarch, so one of the leaders of the movements does not notice the cowardice of the ruler, and the second tries to constantly keep him in fear and catches non-existent conspirators.
Gina likes a new life, court fuss amuses her, but the girl is worried about the fate of her brother. Thanks to her requests, Fabrizio goes to the Naples Theological Academy to study theology. The study lasts three years and ends with a successful exam, after which our hero goes to Parma. Here he settles with his sister.
One day, Fabrizio accidentally enters the theater and sees actress Marietta, whom she falls in love with. But she already has a patron, Gilletti, who is ready to kill the nobleman. They meet outside the city, a fight begins, which ends with the death of Gilletti. Fabrizio now has to hide. He runs to Bologna, where he meets Marietta.
Conspiracy and the new lover
Shows all the baseness and pettiness of the palace relations Stendhal ("Parma monastery"). The prince does not like the behavior of Gina, and he decides to humiliate her, and for this he issues a decree on the capture of Fabrizio and the beginning of the trial. If the young man is convicted, then he will face hard labor or death.
Upon learning of the conspiracy, Gina goes to the palace. The prince expects a humble supplication from a woman, but instead he hears words of gratitude for showing her mercy and courtesy over the past 5 years. Now she is ready to leave the capital, since she did not please the monarch. The prince is afraid that Gina, having left, will spread bad rumors about him and at first agrees to have mercy on Fabrizio. But the next morning he changes his mind and sends out arrest orders.
Fabrizio soon finds himself in the Parma fortress. The commandant of the fortress is General Conti. When a young man is led through a prison yard, he accidentally sees his daughter Clelia. Fabrizio is fascinated by the beauty of the girl and can no longer think of anything else but her face.
Opposite the tower where Fabrizio is kept, there are bird cages. Clelia comes here every morning to feed her pets. The girl accidentally raises her head and meets her eyes with the prisoner. Clelia is very beautiful, but terribly timid and shy.
Young people begin to secretly communicate using the alphabet. One night, Fabrizio writes a love letter that he pulls down on a rope.
Denouement
In his novel, Stendhal also describes the search for true love. “Parma Monastery” is a kind of adventure work, where there are dangers, battles and incredible feelings.
So, Clelia decides to save Fabrizio, as the prince sentenced him to death. Fabrizio and the girl secretly meet, Clelia persuades him to run away. The plan succeeds, and Gina takes the captive to Switzerland.
At this time, in Parma, Ernest V ascended the throne, which gives the fugitives the opportunity to return. But the verdict is valid, and the trial will take place. The case is resolved in favor of the hero.
Fabrizio becomes Archbishop. Clelia marries at the behest of her father. Lovers secretly meet. Soon a girl is born a child, but after his death, Clelia herself dies. Fabrizio desperately retires to the monastery. A year later, the hero dies of longing.
Analysis
A high degree of artistic truth was achieved in his work by Stendhal (“Parma Monastery”). An analysis of the work indicates that he was especially able to portray historical characters. All this was done in order to show the realities of the depicted time. Even the tragic fate of the protagonist underlines the authenticity of events, as it deprives the novel of a fabulous end - “and they lived happily ever after.”
The main idea of the work is very tragic: the cruel world does not forgive people sincere and real feelings. All who dare to them, waiting for death.
Stendhal, Parma Monastery: reviews
The novel is still popular today. The reader is generally rather highly regarded, but points out a number of shortcomings, among which the unexpected and sad outcome is in the first place. Then it is emphasized that today very few people know history so well that they can freely navigate the intricacies of the plot, since the author does not analyze and describe historical events in detail.
Film
In 1947, the novel by Stendhal was filmed. “Parma monastery” - the film was called so. The director was Christian Jacques, the picture was shot jointly by Italy and France. The script was as close as possible to the original, although the events of the book were significantly reduced. The film received quite high marks from critics and today is considered a classic of cinema.