Chief Floyd was restlessly tossing and turning in the spacious bedroom on the upper floor of his specially designed residence for laboratory staff. When he finally fell asleep, the light from the orange night lamp beside him grew increasingly dim, as if there were a curtain in front of it. Floyd was having a bad dream. His entire body was drenched in sweat. He had turned onto his left side, tightly pulling his knees together, placing his hands between his knees as if he were cold, and grinding his teeth unconsciously. Strange creatures with terrifying faces, dressed in black, appeared in front of him. He couldn’t tell how many there were. They formed a circle around his bed, walking slowly with eerie stares and peculiar movements. Their eyes burned like fire, and they kept repeating a word that was easily understandable when listened to carefully, but which he had never heard before: “Jardeeen, Jardeeen, Jardeeen, Jardeeeen...
Candide is a French satire by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment. It begins with a young man, Candide, who is living a sheltered life in an Edenic paradise and being indoctrinated with Leibnizian optimism (or simply Optimism) by his mentor, Pangloss. The work describes the abrupt cessation of this lifestyle, followed by Candide's slow, painful disillusionment as he witnesses and experiences great hardships in the world. Voltaire concludes with Candide, if not rejecting optimism outright, advocating a deeply practical precept, "we must cultivate our garden", in lieu of the Leibnizian mantra of Pangloss, "all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds". Candide is characterized by its sarcastic tone, as well as by its erratic, fantastical and fast-moving plot. A picaresque novel it parodies many adventure and romance clichés, the struggles of which are caricatured in a tone that is mordantly matter-of-fact. Still, the events discussed are often based on historical happenings, such as the Seven Years' War and the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. As philosophers of Voltaire's day contended with the problem of evil, so too does Candide in this short novel, albeit more directly and humorously. Voltaire ridicules religion, theologians, governments, armies, philosophies, and philosophers through allegory; most conspicuously, he assaults Leibniz and his optimism. As expected by Voltaire, Candide has enjoyed both great success and great scandal. Immediately after its secretive publication, the book was widely banned because it contained religious blasphemy, political sedition and intellectual hostility hidden under a thin veil of naïveté. However, with its sharp wit and insightful portrayal of the human condition, the novel has since inspired many later authors and artists to mimic and adapt it. Today, Candide is recognized as Voltaire's magnum opus and is often listed as part of the Western canon; it is arguably taught more than any other work of French literature. It was listed as one of The 100 Most Influential Books Ever Written.
In 'VOLTAIRE - Premium Collection', readers are treated to a comprehensive compilation of Voltaire's diverse works, showcasing his versatility as a writer and thinker. From novels to philosophical writings, historical works to plays, and poems to letters, this collection offers insights into Voltaire's wit, critique of society, and advocacy for reason and tolerance. Written in a satirical and thought-provoking style, Voltaire's works continue to be relevant in today's world with their exploration of themes such as freedom, social injustice, and the power of knowledge. The variety of genres included in this collection highlights Voltaire's ability to engage readers across different literary forms and subjects, making it a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike. Francois-Marie Arouet, known by his pen name Voltaire, was a prolific writer and philosopher of the Enlightenment era. His life experiences, including exile and imprisonment, informed his works which often challenged authority and promoted intellectual freedom. Voltaire's sharp wit and bold criticisms of the establishment earned him a reputation as a leading figure of his time, influencing generations of thinkers and writers. For readers interested in exploring the works of one of the most influential figures of the Enlightenment, 'VOLTAIRE - Premium Collection' offers a comprehensive overview of his writings. With a rich assortment of genres and themes, this collection provides a thorough examination of Voltaire's legacy and relevance in the modern world, making it a must-read for those seeking intellectual stimulation and enlightenment.
Originally published in 1967. Professor Sachs shows the inner coherence of Samuel Johnson's thought by pointing out the interconnectedness of his remarks on religious, moral, aesthetic, political, and psychological subjects. Reason and imagination, the central concepts in the Johnsonian ethos, are elucidated with reference to "vacuity," "attention," "novelty," "diversity," and other words to which Johnson attached special significance. Johnson emerges as an original thinker of the English Christian-humanist heritage; he "is to be read in the same spirit as Pascal." Primarily concerned with the relation between Johnson's ideas and the long tradition of which they are the culmination, Sachs also emphasizes the relevance of Johnson's thought to the twentieth century.
"The Useless Mouths" and Other Literary Writings brings to English-language readers literary writings--several previously unknown--by Simone de Beauvoir. Highlights of the volume include a new translation of the 1945 play The Useless Mouths, the unpublished 1965 short novel "Misunderstanding in Moscow," the fragmentary "Notes for a Novel," and an eagerly awaited translation of Beauvoir's contribution to a 1965 debate among Jean-Paul Sartre and other French writers and intellectuals, "What Can Literature Do?" The collection includes critical introductions by Meryl Altman, Elizabeth Fallaize, Alison S. Fell, Sarah Gendron, Dennis A. Gilbert, Laura Hengehold, Eleanore Holveck, Terry Keefe, J. Debbie Mann, Frederick M. Morrison, Catherine Naji, Justine Sarrot, Liz Stanley, Ursula Tidd, and Veronique Zaytzeff.
A carefully revised and corrected second edition of a classic book on our century's best-known poet. 'An important and original study, which admirably generates fresh thought about Eliot.' Journal of American Studies
