How did a broad, cross‑cultural idea reshape eighteenth‑century literature?
This scholarly study traces the roots of cosmopolitanism in French letters and shows how global influences helped loosen old borders between Latin and non‑Latin traditions.
Focusing on Rousseau and the long engagement between France and England, the work explains how English thought and Protestant criticism fed a new French sensibility. It places Jean‑Jacques Rousseau at the center of a movement that linked Northern literatures with French genius, shaping modern ideas about literature across Europe.
- Understand the shift from a two‑bloc view of European literatures to a more nuanced, interconnected picture
- See how Rousseau is presented as a pivotal figure in the rise of cosmopolitan sensibilities
- Explore the role of English influence in French science, philosophy, drama, and fiction
Ideal for readers of literary history and European culture who want a clearer picture of how cross‑European exchange shaped French literature.