Saint Beuve

Evaluation of Sainte-Beuve as a Critic

Charles-Augustin Sainte-Beuve (1804-1869) was a prominent French literary critic and poet known for his innovative approach to literary criticism. Emerging during the Romantic era, Sainte-Beuve challenged the rigid norms of earlier criticism by advocating for a more personal and biographical understanding of literature. He believed that an author's personality and life experiences significantly influence their work, coining the term "biographical criticism" to describe his method. Sainte-Beuve emphasized the importance of context—historical, social, and personal—in evaluating literature, positioning himself as a key figure in the evolution of modern literary criticism. His work laid the groundwork for future critics and scholars by merging artistic analysis with a deep understanding of the author's life and environment.

Introduction: The Evolution of Literary Standards

The romantic poets flourished in a liberating literary environment, yet the emergence of German influences raised questions about the stability of established standards in criticism. In response to this changing landscape, later French critics, including Sainte-Beuve, sought to redefine literary evaluation, recognizing the obsolescence of traditional methods and advocating for a new approach.

The Inescapable Laws of Personality

Sainte-Beuve posits that while writers may reject external laws, they cannot escape the inherent laws dictated by their own personalities. This assertion highlights the significance of individuality in the creative process and underscores the necessity of understanding these personal laws in any critical assessment.

The Role of Biography in Criticism

A primary responsibility of the critic, according to Sainte-Beuve, is to understand the author before passing judgment. This understanding involves delving into the author’s life, reading habits, and historical context. He refers to this biographical approach as the "exact science of character," emphasizing that a comprehensive grasp of an author’s biography is essential for evaluating their work.

The Critic as Artist and Scientist

Sainte-Beuve describes the ideal critic as both an artist and a scientist, suggesting that effective criticism requires a blend of artistic sensitivity and scientific inquiry. A thorough critic seeks to uncover every detail about the author’s life, including their upbringing and social influences, to trace the development of their literary voice. This comprehensive analysis enables the critic to discern the origins of the author’s writing.

Taine's Formula: Literature as a Product of Social Forces

Following Sainte-Beuve’s methodology, the critic Hippolyte Taine proposed that literature is a product shaped by social forces, encapsulated in three key elements:

1. Race: Taine argues that literature reflects the characteristics of the typical individuals of a race, indicating that the author's identity is significantly influenced by their racial background.

2. Milieu: The environment in which an author lives shapes their thoughts and writings. The societal context creates impressions that inevitably affect the author's literary output.

3. Moment: This refers to the specific historical context or impulse that influences the writer at a given time. The confluence of race, milieu, and moment provides a comprehensive framework for understanding literature as a reflection of society.

Taine's method adds a scientific rigor to literary criticism, suggesting that literature is essentially a living record of society. Classic works like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" are not only artistic achievements but also represent vital chapters of Greek history.

The Importance of Literary Personality

In addition to social context, Sainte-Beuve argues that understanding an author’s unique personality is crucial for a holistic critique. While factors like race, milieu, and moment shape a writer, the individuality of the author remains a vital element that distinguishes one writer from another. The critic's task is to identify and articulate this personal essence.

Assigning Characteristic Labels

Sainte-Beuve maintains that once a critic comprehensively studies an author’s life and work, they can assign characteristic labels to their literary contributions. However, he cautions that labeling should occur only after thorough research, serving as a conclusion to the critic's work rather than its starting point.

The Ideal Critic: Objectivity and Curiosity

Sainte-Beuve envisions the ideal critic as an unbiased observer—like a mirror—reflecting the author’s intentions without imposing personal views. This ideal critic, however, must also possess a deep curiosity to genuinely grasp the author's perspective. While the critic should strive for balance and tolerance, even Sainte-Beuve acknowledges the difficulty of achieving complete neutrality in criticism.

The Complexity of Understanding Artistic Passion

Sainte-Beuve questions whether a completely neutral critic can truly understand an author’s passion. He argues that the critic must empathize with the artist’s feelings and reconstruct their creative process, necessitating a blend of imagination and insight in the critical endeavor.

The Relationship Between Critics and Artists

While critics interpret and analyze works, they differ from artists in their focus. Critics are bound to the truths presented by authors, engaging with definitive facts that cannot be altered. However, they must also have the ability to vividly recreate the artist's thoughts, bridging the gap between creation and interpretation.

Subject Matter: The Distinction Between Artists and Critics

The primary distinction between artists and critics lies in their subject matter. Artists choose their themes and express their emotions through various forms, such as drama, poetry, or fiction. In contrast, critics engage with literature as their subject, analyzing authors and their works. For example, while Shakespeare creates characters like Hamlet, the critic delves into Shakespeare’s mind through the lens of his plays.

Conclusion: The Artistic Capacity of Critics

Ultimately, both artists and critics require a profound understanding of their respective subjects. While their focus may differ, the capacity for artistic insight is essential for both roles. By integrating biography, individuality, and social context into literary criticism, Sainte-Beuve’s approach reshaped the field, emphasizing the intricate relationship between an author's life and their work. Taine’s contributions further enhanced this framework, illustrating how literature reflects broader social forces.