The Art of the Novel (Persian Edition)

Summary:

Part One: Reading

• Early Childhood: Sartre describes his upbringing in a bourgeois family. After the death of his father, Sartre was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents. His grandfather, Charles Schweitzer, played a significant role in his early education.
• Literary Exposure: Sartre’s exposure to books began at an early age, fostering a deep love for literature. He was encouraged to read widely, and this early immersion in literature laid the foundation for his intellectual development.
• Imagination and Reality: Sartre discusses how literature allowed him to escape the confines of his bourgeois upbringing, providing a realm where his imagination could flourish. However, he also acknowledges the disconnect between the idealized world of books and the realities of life.

Part Two: Writing

• Aspiring Writer: The second part focuses on Sartre’s early attempts at writing. He reflects on his initial motivations, driven by a desire for recognition and a sense of purpose.
• Self-Reflection: Sartre critically examines his younger self, acknowledging the pretensions and insecurities that influenced his early works. He explores the role of writing in shaping his identity and philosophical outlook.
• Existential Themes: Sartre’s reflections on writing are imbued with existentialist themes, particularly the notions of freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning. He views writing as a way to assert his existence and engage with the world.

Themes:

1. Existentialism: Central to Sartre’s narrative is the existentialist idea that individuals create their own essence through actions and choices. Writing becomes an existential act for Sartre, a means of defining himself.
2. Identity and Self-Discovery: “The Words” is as much about Sartre’s journey to find his identity as it is about his literary ambitions. Through reading and writing, he explores different facets of himself.
3. Role of Literature: Sartre examines the impact of literature on his life, both as a source of inspiration and a means of escape. He reflects on the power of books to shape one’s worldview and the responsibilities of a writer.
4. Critique of Bourgeois Society: Sartre’s narrative includes a critique of the bourgeois values he was raised with, contrasting them with the freedom he finds in literature and writing.

Significance:

“The Words” is a compelling exploration of the formative experiences that shaped one of the 20th century’s most influential philosophers and writers. It offers insights into Sartre’s intellectual development and provides a window into his existentialist philosophy. The work is notable for its introspective and candid style, revealing the complexities of Sartre’s character and thought process.

Reception:

Upon its publication, “The Words” was met with critical acclaim. Sartre was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964, partly in recognition of this work, though he famously declined the award. The book remains an important text for understanding Sartre’s life and philosophy, as well as the broader context of existentialist thought.