Introduction to Proust

Derrick Leon

Part 1; 1. Childhood and adolescence: Illiers, the Champs Élysées and the Lycée Condorcet: early friendships and first literary efforts 2. Entrance into Society: the drawing-room of Mme Strauss: portrait of a young author: the literary coteries of Mme Aubernon, Mme Arman de Caillavet and Mme de Loynes 3. Military service: new friendships: Anatole France: choosing a career: the Sorbonne: Le Banquet: Mme Laure Hayman and the receptions of Mme Lemaire 4. Robert de Montesquiou 5. The invalid about Town: the "imitations": the Princesse Mathilde: supper at Weber’s and nocturnal discussions 6. The Honorary Attaché to the Mazarine Library: Les Plaisirs et les Jours: Les Lauriers sont Coupés: the duel 7. The Dreyfus Case 8. First journalistic pieces: the invalid at home: more new friendships: the Gothic Cathedrals: the family circle: death of Professor Proust 9. The Bible of Amiens: Figaro sketches: death of Mme Proust 10. Sesame and Lilies: imprisonment at Versailles: preparation for Á le Recherche du Temps Perdu 11. Years of work: more Figaro sketches: holidays at Cabourg: the search for a publisher: the choice of titles: the appearance of Swann 12. War: the amplification of the novel: Céleste: the change of publishers: more new friends: the armistice 13. The appearance of Pastiches et Mélanges and Á l’Ombre des Jeunes Filles en Fleur: the move from the Boulevard Hausmann: the Prix Goncourt: success at last: Le Côté de Guermantes and Sodome et Gomorrhe: friendship with the critics: last days; Part 2; 1. Posthumous publications: an outline of Á la Recherche du Temps Perdu 2. The effects of Time and the world of Society 3. The chief characters of the book, their derivations and development. Swann: Odette: Mme Verdurin: the Guermantes:: Françoise 4. The world of Art: Berma, Vinteuil, Elstir and Bergotte 5. Gilberte and Alertine: desire, jealousy and love 6. Memory and unconscious: imagination and habit 7. Time Regained: consciousness and reality: the inspiration and function of creative art 8. Critical survey and conclusion; Bibliography; Index