Research Catalog

The representation of mesmerism in Honoré de Balzac's La comédie humaine

Title
The representation of mesmerism in Honoré de Balzac's La comédie humaine / K. Melissa Marcus.
Author
Marcus, K. Melissa, 1956-
Publication
New York : P. Lang, [1995], ©1995.

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Details

Description
xi, 111 pages; 24 cm.
Summary
  • In 1778, the Austrian physicians, Franz Anton Mesmer, arrived in Paris to present his new doctrine: animal magnetism, later called mesmerism. His stay in Paris provoked a lasting interest in, and fascination with mesmerism, in particular among various circles of European Romantic writers. This book treats the theme of mesmerism in French writer Balzac's La comedie humaine by demonstrating how Balzac acts as "literary healer," given his belief in the healing power of mesmerism.
  • It shows how mesmerism, considered a panacea, may become a form of social action. It also examines Balzac's use of mesmerism as cosmological theory to illustrate his belief in one unifying principle for all intellectual and spiritual systems.
Series Statement
New connections, 0891-0073 ; vol. 6
Uniform Title
New connections (New York, N.Y. : 1989) ; v. 6.
Subjects
Note
  • Appendixes in French.
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (p. [93]-103).
Contents
Ch. 1. An Introduction to Mesmerism in La comedie humaine -- Ch. 2. Falthurne and Le centenaire: The Earliest Examples of Balzac's Representation of Mesmerism -- Ch. 3. Mesmerism, Science and Religion - A Reading of Ursule Mirouet -- Ch. 4. Balzac as Historian and Chronicler of Mesmerism -- Ch. 5. Mesmerism Is Magic and "Magic Is a Form of Social Action" -- Appendix I. Mesmer's Propositions from Memoire sur la decouverte du magnetisme animal -- Appendix II Alexandre Bertrand, Opinions des anciens.
ISBN
0820418188 (alk. paper)
LCCN
91042872
OCLC
  • 25025403
  • ocm25025403
Owning Institutions
Columbia University Libraries