Bouvard And Pecuchet (Worldwide Classics)

The book is widely read as a precursor to modern theories on semiotics and postmodernism. The relentless failure of Bouvard and Pecuchet to learn anything from their adventures raises the question of what is knowable. Whenever they achieve some small measure of success (a rare occurrence), it is the result of unknown external forces beyond their comprehension. The worldview that emerges from the work, one of human beings proceeding relentlessly forward without comprehending the results of their actions or the processes of the world around them, does not seem an optimistic one. But given that Bouvard and Pecuchet do gain some comprehension of humanity's ignorant state (as demonstrated by their composition of the Dictionary of Received Ideas), it could be argued that Flaubert allows for the possibility of relative enlightenment.

Author: Gustave Flaubert

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: Feb 10, 2017

Number of Pages: 192 pages

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

ISBN-10: 1543039308

ISBN-13: 9781543039306