FRENCH 41

REVIEW SHEET #1: PRÉVOST’S MANON LESCAUT

1. If Manon Lescaut can be considered to be a kind of “indirect apologia” using autobiographical elements in a work of fiction, describe how Prévost appears to seek to justify his own checkered career (up to 1731) through the character Chevalier Des Grieux by invoking the so-called “Morality of the Passions.” How does he go about this, and, in your opinion, to what extent does he succeed in obtaining understanding and forgiveness from his readers?

2. As a novel in the French Classical tradition, Prévost’s Manon Lescaut maintains a consistently dignified language and offers not a single description of an erotically explicit scene. Using examples from the text, show how the author was still able to produce a passionate love story that was considered by many to be scandalous when it first appeared in the 1730s -- despite those two self-imposed restrictions in his writing.

3. With its setting in early-18th-century France (c. 1712-1717), Prévost’s novel Manon Lescaut contains realistic descriptions of several institutions and customs of that time. Describe five of those you found most interesting, and explain why you think the author was in a position to be personally knowledgeable about them.

4. In Prévost’s novel Manon Lescaut, young Des Grieux has a close association with each of three secondary male characters, Tiberge, Manon’s brother Lescaut, and Monsieur de T, who are however very different from one other. Describe the personality of each of these acquaintances, and discuss the special relationship that exists between each of them and the Chevalier.

5. In creating his still-famous 1893 Italian opera version of Prévost’s 1731 novel Manon Lescaut, Giacomo Puccini made a number of significant changes in the plot with which he was working. In the Royal Opera Company (Covent Garden) 1983 filmed performance shown in part for this course, what did you find to be the most important differences between Act I of that version and the first part of the original French novel? Give specific examples.