The Symbolism of Voltaire's Novels; With Special Reference to Zadig (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1911. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... VOLTAIRE'S SYMBOLISM In this chapter I shall examine, (1) what Voltaire's symbolism is; (2) what its sources are; (3) why he made use of it; and (4) his method of composition. What Voltaire's Symbolism Is I am not particularly concerned with symbolism, as such, but rather with a certain type of narrative, description, and characterization which I think that I have discovered in Voltaire and which, for want of a better name, I have termed Voltaire's symbolism. I mean by it simply his use of symbols. DEGREES What is a symbol? I use it in the sense of anything which stands for another thing, or for other things. In order to stand for another thing, or for other things, a word, or term, or sign must be, by established convention or by individual use, a part of the idea or ideas for which it is used as the representative; as, for example, the cross, for Christianity. A symbol may be, therefore, by its significance and conventional use, or may be made, by an artificial association, the representative of a score of things, by virtue of certain similar or identical characteristics. In this respect symbolism differs from the parable, which, by its etymology, is quite the same word. In a parable there are generally but two terms to the comparison, as: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain man," etc. The parable of the ewe lamb is in point, because it shows the second step in symbolism. When the High Priest says to David: "Thou art the man," he has changed his simile into a metaphor, into a simple equation. Symbolism is, therefore, the use, or the abuse, if you will, of a metaphor, and may itself be illustrated symbolically, as follows: If A is like B, and B is like C, and C is like D, then, by virtue of the element common to them all, A = B = C = D. That is Voltaire's s...