Gilles Cornec’s New Essay Reassesses Paul Claudel’s Legacy
Gilles Cornec has published an essay titled *l'Affaire Claudel* that seeks to restore a more accurate image of the French writer Paul Claudel, whose reputation has often been distorted by anticlericalism and a tradition of guilt in France. Rather than producing a hagiography, Cornec confronts controversial texts such as Claudel's *Paroles au Maréchal* and his *Lettre au grand rabbin Schwarz*. In an interview with Jacques Henric, Cornec discusses the harsh judgments against Claudel, what the 'affair' reveals about 20th-century literary, ideological, political, and theological life, and the opposition between André Gide and Claudel.
Key facts
- Gilles Cornec published an essay titled *l'Affaire Claudel*.
- The essay aims to correct distortions of Paul Claudel's image due to anticlericalism.
- Cornec addresses Claudel's *Paroles au Maréchal* and *Lettre au grand rabbin Schwarz*.
- Jacques Henric interviewed Cornec about the severity of judgments on Claudel.
- The interview covers what the 'affair' reveals about 20th-century literary, ideological, political, and theological life.
- The opposition between André Gide and Claudel is discussed.
- The essay is not a hagiography but a restoration of truths.
- The publication appeared in artpress in April 1993.
Entities
Artists
- Gilles Cornec
- Paul Claudel
- Jacques Henric
- André Gide
Institutions
- artpress
Locations
- France
Sources
- artpress —