Wikipedia page about this book: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novembre_(Flaubert)

Release date is 2021-04-19

Michael Roe, Hans Pieterse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr)

"Œuvres de jeunesse inédites. II: 1839-1842. Œuvres diverses.—Novembre" by Gustave Flaubert is a collection of unpublished works likely written during the early 19th century. This volume includes various essays and reflections that explore themes of art, commerce, and the existential struggles of humanity. Flaubert delves into the conflict between artistic expression and the utilitarian values of society, with a particular emphasis on the role of poetry and the arts in fulfilling the deeper needs of the human spirit. The opening of this work presents an impassioned discourse on the perceived triviality of the arts in comparison to the dominance of commerce and materialism in society. Flaubert argues fervently that while many people devalue art as merely a pastime or ornamental distraction, the true worth of poetry and artistic endeavor lies in their ability to nourish the soul and elevate human experience. Through dialogues that touch upon both the joys and contradictions inherent in the pursuit of knowledge, Flaubert's exploration invites readers to contemplate the deeper truths of existence, the nature of creativity, and the interwoven fates of the artist and society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Original publication data not identified