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L'Ingénu by Voltaire
by Voltaire, 1694-1778Description
L’Ingénu by Voltaire is a novel written during the late 18th century. This richly satirical tale follows the experiences of a young Huron named l’Ingénu who arrives in France from Canada, exploring themes of cultural clash, innocence, and the nuances of society. The story takes a critical look at the hypocrisy of European customs and government while simultaneously skimming the surface of what it means to be truly civilized versus being naive. The opening of L’Ingénu presents the arrival of the titular character, a Huron who innocently traverses French society after being shipwrecked. He meets the prieur and his sister, mademoiselle de Kerkabon, who are intrigued by his unfamiliarity and mannerisms. The Huron is depicted as a straightforward and honest individual to the point of being unaware of societal norms and expectations, prompting a series of humorous exchanges. As he interacts with the local gentry, we can see the contrast between his natural simplicity and the complex, often contradictory behavior of the French people. The narrative establishes the groundwork for the cultural critique that Voltaire is set to expand upon throughout the rest of the novel. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
