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Moral Tone Moral tone—overall philosophy of a work Moral tone—overall philosophy of a work A story is literary if the conflict and characters are artfully developed, the plot is well-structured, and the theme is significant. A story is literary if the conflict and characters are artfully developed, the plot is well-structured, and the theme is significant. A positive moral tone is key. A positive moral tone is key. “A book is not harmless merely because no one is consciously offended by it.” (T. S. Eliot) “A book is not harmless merely because no one is consciously offended by it.” (T. S. Eliot)

Moral Tone Three Moral Tone Philosophies: 1. Pessimist View—allow some objectionable elements for two reasons: Compensating aesthetic qualities (It is attractive!) Compensating aesthetic qualities (It is attractive!) Honest view of life Honest view of life (I Tim. 6:11, II Tim 2:22) (I Tim. 6:11, II Tim 2:22) *This view elevates man’s standards above God’s. *This view elevates man’s standards above God’s.

Moral Tone 2. Exclusivist View—Any exposure to evil is wrong! Study nothing with objectionable elements. Study nothing with objectionable elements. Extreme view—Read nothing but the Bible. Extreme view—Read nothing but the Bible. This view fails to reconcile the use of censorable elements in Scripture. This view fails to reconcile the use of censorable elements in Scripture.

Moral Tone 3. Biblical View—teaches by means of precept and example Jesus made use of negative examples (degeneracy of Sodom, Cain and Abel, evils of the Corinthian church, immorality) Jesus made use of negative examples (degeneracy of Sodom, Cain and Abel, evils of the Corinthian church, immorality) We must consider the work’s attitude toward sin. We must consider the work’s attitude toward sin.

Moral Tone “It is our business, as readers of literature, to know what we like. It is our business, as Christians, as well as readers of literature, to know what we ought to like.” T. S. Eliot

“I—I am going to be a storm-a flame—I need to fight whole armies alone; I have ten hearts; I have a hundred arms; I feel too strong to war with mortals—BRING ME GIANTS!” Cyrano de Bergerac

“A great nose is the banner of a great man, a generous heart, a towering spirit, an expansive soul - such as I unmistakably am, and such as you dare not to dream of being....” Cyrano de Bergerac

Author: Edmond Rostand

Author: Edmund Rostand Born in Marseilles, France, on April 1, 1868 Born in Marseilles, France, on April 1, 1868 His education included a degree in law. His education included a degree in law. He wrote his first play when he was only 20. He wrote his first play when he was only 20. His greatest triumph was Cyrano de Bergerac, and it was presented for 500 consecutive performances. His greatest triumph was Cyrano de Bergerac, and it was presented for 500 consecutive performances.

Author Information Cont. Due to poor health, Rostand was refused for service during World War I, but he consoled himself by writing patriotic poetry. Due to poor health, Rostand was refused for service during World War I, but he consoled himself by writing patriotic poetry. He died December 2, He died December 2, 1918.

The REAL Cyrano de Bergerac soldier satirist dramatist poet humanitarian duelist philosopher scientist

Act I Setting: 1640, Paris, Hotel de Bourgogne, the opening of La Clorise by Baro Setting: 1640, Paris, Hotel de Bourgogne, the opening of La Clorise by Baro Main characters: Main characters: Montfleury: pompous actor Montfleury: pompous actor Christian: from the Touraine, in Paris for three weeks, wants to join the Guards Christian: from the Touraine, in Paris for three weeks, wants to join the Guards Lignière: gentleman, drinks, writes songs Lignière: gentleman, drinks, writes songs

Act I Cont. Ragueneau: poet, pastrycook, supports other poets Ragueneau: poet, pastrycook, supports other poets Roxane: Cyrano's cousin, wealthy, single, orphan, loved by the Comte de Guiche (Richelieu's nephew by marriage) Roxane: Cyrano's cousin, wealthy, single, orphan, loved by the Comte de Guiche (Richelieu's nephew by marriage) Comte de Guiche: powerful, ruthless, immoral, willing to persecute others to get what he wants, nephew to Richelieu by marriage Comte de Guiche: powerful, ruthless, immoral, willing to persecute others to get what he wants, nephew to Richelieu by marriage

Bring your literature books today and have out your notes!

Louis XIII

Cardinal Richelieu

Louis XIV

Louvre in Paris

Louvre

Act I Cont. Cyrano: Cyrano: Cyrano’s appearance: ugly! Cyrano’s appearance: ugly! Theme: appearance versus reality Theme: appearance versus reality Cyrano is a man of not only chivalry, courage, and poetry personified, but also poverty, worldly failure, and ugliness. Cyrano is a man of not only chivalry, courage, and poetry personified, but also poverty, worldly failure, and ugliness.

Act I Cont. Cyrano’s credentials: in the Guards, a gentleman, poet, swordsman, musician, philosopher, proud, Gascon, poor Cyrano’s credentials: in the Guards, a gentleman, poet, swordsman, musician, philosopher, proud, Gascon, poor Cyrano’s reasons for disliking Montfleury Cyrano’s reasons for disliking Montfleury Cyrano’s justification for closing Baro’s play Cyrano’s justification for closing Baro’s play Cyrano’s response to the intellectuals Cyrano’s response to the intellectuals

Act I Cont. Cyrano’s values: Cyrano’s values: Freedom: no patron Freedom: no patron Inner worth not outer appearance: does not dress according to fashion Inner worth not outer appearance: does not dress according to fashion Courage: not dependent on, afraid of, or seeking to impress wealthy, powerful men Courage: not dependent on, afraid of, or seeking to impress wealthy, powerful men Contentment: not concerned about money Contentment: not concerned about money

Act I Cont. The ideal: The ideal: “to make himself in all things admirable" Cyrano does succeed in living up to his ideal. Cyrano does succeed in living up to his ideal.

Act II When: morning after the play When: morning after the play Where: Ragueneau's bakery on Rue St. Honoré Where: Ragueneau's bakery on Rue St. Honoré Plot: Cyrano's ideal is tested. Plot: Cyrano's ideal is tested. Roxane's request - reveals her immature attitude toward love/ reveals the maturity of Cyrano's love Roxane's request - reveals her immature attitude toward love/ reveals the maturity of Cyrano's love

Act II Cont. De Guiche's offer - offers Cyrano his patronage and publication of Cyrano's plays (the catch: some lines must be changed) De Guiche's offer - offers Cyrano his patronage and publication of Cyrano's plays (the catch: some lines must be changed)  This reveals the tenacity with which Cyrano holds to his principles.

Act II Cont. Le Bret's questions - gently challenges Cyrano's purpose Le Bret's questions - gently challenges Cyrano's purpose This reveals the Cyrano's belief in his right to be free. Christian's attack - attacks Cyrano's most vulnerable point: his appearance Christian's attack - attacks Cyrano's most vulnerable point: his appearance Reveals Cyrano's lack of self- interest. He even offers his gift of words to Christian. Reveals Cyrano's lack of self- interest. He even offers his gift of words to Christian.

Act II Cont. Christian's attack - attacks Cyrano's most vulnerable point: his appearance Christian's attack - attacks Cyrano's most vulnerable point: his appearance This reveals Cyrano's lack of self-interest. He even offers his gift of words to Christian to help him win Roxane. This reveals Cyrano's lack of self-interest. He even offers his gift of words to Christian to help him win Roxane.

Summary of Tests in Act II: Cyrano is challenged by… Cyrano is challenged by… 1. His love: Roxane (purity of love vs. despair) 2. His enemy: De Guiche (principles vs. compromise) (principles vs. compromise) 3. His friend: Le Bret (purpose vs. defeat) (purpose vs. defeat) 4. His rival: Christian (pride vs. vanity) (pride vs. vanity)

Act III When: a few weeks later When: a few weeks later Where: Roxane’s garden outside her house Where: Roxane’s garden outside her house Plot: character analysis and development Plot: character analysis and development Christian: desires to speak for himself Christian: desires to speak for himself Roxane: begins to be dissatisfied with her ideal man; outwits De Guiche Roxane: begins to be dissatisfied with her ideal man; outwits De Guiche

Vs. De Guiche self-serving self-serving self-indulgent self-indulgent Dishonorable Dishonorable debauched debauched Cyrano others-serving self-sacrificial Honorable truly loving Act III

Act III Cont. Proofs of Cyrano’s true love that “seeketh not his own”: 1. wins Roxane for Christian 2. delays De Guiche while Roxane and Christian are married 3. promises that Christian will write everyday

Arras in Paris, France Main Street in Arras (left picture)

Act IV When: a few months later When: a few months later Where: Cadets’ post near Arras Where: Cadets’ post near Arras Plot: Plot: a. De Guiche: boastful and vengeful 1.) Cadets: resent his ostentation 2.) Carbon: will only obey military orders

Act IV Cont. 3.) Christian: married Roxane 4.) Cyrano: kept him from Roxane, makes him look foolish b. Roxane 1.) personal development: shows courage, self knowledge, and mature love

Act IV Cont. 2.) development of her love: began in the balcony scene, developed through letters, matures by loving Christian’s (Cyrano’s) soul c. Christian: 1.) weakness: good, but average; wants to be loved for who he is

Act IV Cont. 2.) strength: nobility of character; willing to give up Roxane; insists Cyrano tell her the truth d. Cyrano Encouraging Encouraging Faithful in love Faithful in love Faithful in friendship: won’t tell Roxane after Christian dies Faithful in friendship: won’t tell Roxane after Christian dies

Act IV Cont. 1.) wouldn’t be noble: appreciates Christian as a comrade; Christian can’t verify. 2.) wouldn’t be consistent with his nature: shows his great love, deep commitment, and unyielding adherence to what he believes is noble and true.

Act V When: 1655 (15 years later) When: 1655 (15 years later) Where: a convent in Paris Where: a convent in Paris Characters: Characters: a. Roxane: mourns for Christian b. De Guiche visits Roxane visits Roxane has wealth, prestige, power has wealth, prestige, power regrets his self-centered life regrets his self-centered life

Act V Cont. c. Le Bret: admires, supports, defends, wants the best for Cyrano, but still doesn’t completely understand him d. Ragueneau: shiftless but loyal to Cyrano

Moliere(playwright)

Act V Cont. e. Cyrano  continues to attack hypocrites  still feared, but getting old and poor  in death, still fighting falsehood, prejudice, compromise, cowardice, and vanity Cyrano’s panache = his noble character

Act V: Cyrano Life Lessons 1.Try to be the best even if you might not reach every goal. 2. Some things should never be surrendered. 3. You must fight for some things whether you win or not. 4. Someone must defend the truth even if no one else does. 5. Freedom is more important than wealth or popularity.

Cyrano de Bergerac