L’Otage (“The Hostage”); Le Pain dur (“Hard Bread”); Le Père humilié (“The Humiliated Father”)
Le Livre de Poche. Item #82119
In French. Very Good condition.
The image shows a Le Livre de Poche edition of three plays by Paul Claudel:
• L’Otage (“The Hostage”)
• Le Pain dur (“Hard Bread”)
• Le Père humilié (“The Humiliated Father”)
These works form Claudel’s trilogy titled La Trilogie des Coûfontaine, written between 1911 and 1929. They are considered some of Claudel’s most important dramatic achievements, combining poetic language, Catholic mysticism, and political themes. Here’s a brief overview of each:
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L’Otage (The Hostage)
(1911)
Set during the French Revolution, this play explores the themes of sacrifice, duty, and faith. The central character, Sygne de Coûfontaine, is forced into a marriage of political convenience, sacrificing personal happiness for familial and national duty.
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Le Pain dur (Hard Bread)
(1918)
This middle play takes place during the Restoration period. It focuses on power, moral compromise, and the corruption that comes with political ambition. The character Turelure is especially notable as a symbol of opportunism.
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Le Père humilié (The Humiliated Father)
(1929)
The final play is more spiritual and introspective, set in the late 19th century. It reflects on themes of redemption, fatherhood, and divine justice, completing the arc of the Coûfontaine family’s tragic and spiritual journey.
About Paul Claudel:
Paul Claudel (1868–1955) was a French poet, dramatist, and diplomat. A devout Catholic, his works often wrestle with faith, grace, and the conflict between the spiritual and the worldly. His style blends lyrical poetry with intense philosophical and religious reflection.
This trilogy, in particular, is a powerful and complex meditation on history, family, and the soul’s search for salvation — deeply rooted in French political history and Claudel’s Catholic worldview.
Price: $15.00