Charles Nodier/sources

[citoyenneclark.livejournal.com]

Hi! So I'm working on a paper about Saint-Just, (specifically the myths and his portrayal in the Black Book, how they are historically accurate, or not, and what historians think about SJ.) Yes...all this in 6 pages. (in one week) but don't get me started. Firstly, I was wondering if anyone knew where to find a full version of Charles Nodier's text about SJ. Historians seem to use bits and pieces, but I can't find the full version. (Is it in his/Alexander Dumas book the blue and the white?)

Secondly, I was wondering if any of you could suggest thermidorian sources, and sympathetic sources on SJ? I've decided/was assigned to divided the paper into 2 main parts, the things that the movie gets right, and the things they get wrong.

As for getting vaguely correct:
They portray SJ as a man of action
And show him to be a natty dresser/vanity

For the incorrect:
he's a bloodthirsty, sadistic kitten kicker
He's Robespierre's henchman
He's the life of the party.

I'm planning to use Curtis's book to disprove the henchman part. The issue is that a lot of the sources and antidotes on SJ, specifically about the EVIL! part, are all either really biased, or just bizare. And that goes for both sides of the debate. I'm thinking of using Gateau's writing about him, after he was executed, but that's a suspect piece also, and defiantly not impartial.

Currently I'm using Thompson's Leaders of the French Revolution, Palmer, and Hampson's books. Do you think this is even possible? >_<
Thanks everyone. Input is much much much appreciated.

Edit: seems spellcheck autmomatically changed Nodier's spelling. Fixed that.thanks!

Comments

[citoyenneclark.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I was using bizarre cause that sounded slightly better than wtf-y. In particular I was thinking of the source that said that SJ's pants were made out of the skin of humans...

[maelicia.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, that anecdote - can you believe that I never, ever read it in French? It seems to be very popular in English though. From what I read - I admit I didn't read all the Thermidorian pamphlets evar - I didn't find any Thermidorian speaking of those breeches-made-of-human-skin - and you know, with all the creepiness mentioned by Courtois, he might have as well talked about that. (Although I admit I lack one of the reports of Courtois, that I couldn't put my hands on. Maybe it's in this one, I don't know.) From what I can see from what I read, however, is that this anecdote circulated in very royalist texts (and thus it's logical the republican Thermidorians wouldn't mention it) which would also explain why they were, very early on, translated in English. Unless proven otherwise and given the proof it came from the Thermidorians too, I stick to that for now.

However, Georges Duval talks about the breeches-made-of-human-skin and the tannerie Meudon... but he only says that, um, Le Bas for example worn them. Of all people - Le Bas, really? Since Georges Duval is very catholic, a former member of the Jeunesse dorée, and probably went full-royalist during the Restauration (as his generation and age-group did), I wouldn't be too surprised that he took it from royalist sources.