Jules Michelet: Historian As Critic of French Literature

This critical study provides a chronological survey of Michelet's highly personal manipulation of French literature to expound his view that the collective energy of the masses in their struggle for freedom determines history. Based mostly on the historical works, this book also includes observations scattered throughout Michelet's non-historical writings. Professor Williams stresses the fact that, although Michelet's judgements do not advance the cause of literary criticism, the historian directly confronts one of the important issues raised by the nineteenth century: the role of literature in society.