Stéphane Mallarmé

by Roger Pearson

This concise biography of Stéphane Mallarmé (1842–98) blends an account of the poet’s life with a detailed analysis of his evolving poetic theory and practice. “A poet on this earth must be uniquely a poet,” he declared at the age of twenty-two—but what is a poet’s life and what is a poet’s function? In his poems and prose statements and by the example of his life, Mallarmé provided answers to these questions.             In Stéphane Mallarmé , Roger Pearson explores the relationship among Mallarmé’s life, his philosophy, and his writing. To Mallarmé, being a poet consists of a continuous, lifelong investigation of language and its expressive potential. It represents, argues Pearson, a fundamental response to the metaphysical mystery of the human condition and the desire to make sense of it for others. A poet turns everyday banality into prospects of mystery; and a poet, in Mallarmé’s conception, is able to bring all human beings together in heightened awareness and understanding of the “magnificent act of living.” This concise and engaging biography tells the story of a fascinating and utterly unique voice in French poetry, one that was often overshadowed by other Symbolist writers. It is an essential read for students of literature and nineteenth-century France .

Genres: Biography

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 1996

Reviews

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pearson's is a good, brief but thorough look at Mallarmé's life and his poetry. I think he writes Mallarmé's life and work a bit through the prism of the solar drama, and perhaps takes the poet a bit too much at his own word (biographies generally could use a bit more skepticism about their subjects . . .). And, although it is a very short book, I would have appreciated some more commentary on the way Mallarmé treated women in his life - his interactions with them are clearly important, and alluded to in such a way that there certainly seems to be a level of dysfunction worthy of more analysis. However, it is still a good biography, especially in examining Mallarmé's problems with money and family, and blending literary criticism with historical detail.

[Kevin Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

To understand a sublime poet like Mallarme' is unusual at any time; to be able to smoothly and clearly comprehend Mallarme' in the manner presented in this tome is a true treat. I recommend this book for those who wish to see the intersection of mystery with the plenitude of historical 19th century France through the life and work of Mallarme'.