Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 127 The Last Lesson

Lionel felt utterly innocent; he wasn't the one who had deceived Baroness Alexievna, but the lady seemed to be taking her anger out on him.

But since Sophia had already come knocking on his door, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and confront her, no matter how unwilling he was.

Moreover, he did not believe that the literary examinations of the 19th century posed any real challenge to him.

Like all disciplines, 150 years means that the knowledge system has been iterated at least 10 times. Many theories that were groundbreaking and difficult to understand back then have become common sense after the passage of time.

But that doesn't mean he'll let Sofia do whatever she wants.

Lionel slowly stood up from the hardwood chair, first looking around the examination room, and finally his gaze fell on the bright and beautiful Russian noblewoman.

Lionel's voice was clear, without anger or fear: "Miss Sophia, you received the highest level of French education, and your accent is as pure as if you were born in Versailles."

You must be very familiar with French works and masters, like Balzac, Voltaire, and Rousseau, as mentioned earlier…

Sofia proudly raised her head: "At least in the salons of Moscow, no one knows them better than me."

France has already implemented a republic, and noble titles and privileges have been abolished, but cultural inertia remains.

Russia, however, remained a thoroughly feudal society, with the entire superstructure of the country composed of nobles.

In Sofia's eyes, commoners like Lionel were nothing but ants. If it weren't for the protection of French law, she would have even had her guards tie him up and drag him on horseback for two kilometers through the mud.

Professor Durand kindly reminded Lionel, "Sophia has been eloquent since childhood, is Baroness Alexievna's most outstanding child, and a star in Moscow's aristocratic salons."

Lionel noted that when Professor Durand referred to the “child,” he did not specify whether it was a “boy” or a “girl.”

Lionel laughed, but his words became sharp: "You say you are familiar with these masters, but they all seem to be just topics of conversation for you to use when you attend aristocratic salons to make a show of your fashion sense."

The precious pursuit of reason, the emphasis on logic, and the practice of civilization in French literature... have not taken root in your beautiful mind.

Sofia remained dismissive, believing that Lionel was merely putting on a brave face.

Lionel strolled over to Sophia, looking down at her condescendingly: "Just like you just said you hoped the Sorbonne would maintain 'lofty standards unshaken by any external factors'—"

If my "illusory reputation" is an "external factor" that can influence the exam, then can your mother's "30 francs" and your own social influence be excluded from the list of "external factors"?

Is there any rationality or logic to this?

Sofia was momentarily speechless.

Lionel continued with the calmest tone, delivering the most brutal "dissection": When you shamelessly utter words like "rigorous tradition," "lofty standards," and "temple of knowledge," did you ever consider—

You just acted like a barbarian, barging into the exam room and disrupting the exam process without any manners. Is this respect for tradition, standards, and the hall of fame?

Is there any civilization in this?

Sofia was speechless in the face of the sudden question.

In Moscow's salons, no young nobleman would question himself in this way; they would only grovel in his dazzling presence and surrender to his sharp words.

Lionel's uncompromising and confrontational attitude left her momentarily disoriented and unable to form a coherent thought.

But Lionel wasn't going to give her a chance to retort, so the questioning didn't end there: "So, Miss Sofia Ivanovna Durova-Sherbatova—"

You claim to love French culture, but you only understand it as elegant topics of conversation in salons, a status symbol in social situations, or...

Just like your mother's 30 franc donation, it's a tool used to flaunt yourself and even attempt to interfere with the freedom of others!

Therefore, you have never truly understood the soul of French literature, which is inherently incompatible with your mindset of trying to use money and power to kidnap everything!

Your French is probably better than most French people, but you're still, well, a Russian…

Lionel's words were like daggers to the heart. Sofia's face turned from red to white, then from white to green, and her full breasts heaved violently.

She wanted to argue, to rebuke, to call her servants in and throw this arrogant little writer out… This was a kind of spiritual humiliation she had never experienced before! She could only stare intently at Lionel, her eyes burning with fury.

Lionel smiled slightly, turned around and sat back down in his chair, facing Professor Durand and the other two judges again.

"So, professors, please give me the questions. I'll take the additional test."

But the purpose of this additional test is not to prove my personal 'unworthy' or 'worthy' status, nor to satisfy the expectations or concerns of any generous lady.

Rather, it was to give this Miss Sofia Ivanovna, who had traveled from afar, a lesson they had missed—a crucial lesson on the true spirit of French literature!

The three examiners—Duran, Moreau, and Professor Leclerc—exchanged solemn and complex glances.

While Lionel's outspokenness was satisfying, it also put them in the spotlight.

After some discussion, Professor Gustave Durand adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his voice regaining its scholarly composure: "Lionel, you defended the right to question, and you also accepted the challenges that came with it."

Since you have proactively requested an additional test to demonstrate the purity of the Sorbonne's scholarship and the quality of your own knowledge, we will grant your request.

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the breathless crowd in the audience before finally settling on Lionel's face: "Please explain—in French literature, and indeed in the entire European literary tradition, the relationship between 'truth' and 'morality.' Are they necessarily opposed?"
If conflict exists, how can a writer reconcile, showcase, or even utilize this conflict in their work?

The question fell into a deathly silence. Even Sophia momentarily forgot the humiliation she had just suffered and wore a thoughtful expression.

This is an extremely grand and profound proposition within the 19th-century literary theory system, touching upon the core of literary creation.

The difference between this question and the previous ones is that it no longer sets specific authors or works as a reference point. So although there is no "reference answer", it best reflects the respondent's quality.

Lionel tried to appear thoughtful, and after a long pause, he began to answer: "'Truth' and 'morality' are like two pillars of a spiritual temple. Although they stand on opposite sides, they are actually in a symbiotic relationship full of tension."

……

"Literature seeks truth in order to reveal the complexities of human nature and society, rather than simply moralizing or whitewashing the truth."

……

"If literature only serves the 'morality' defined by the upper class and avoids the truth, then it becomes nothing more than decorative paintings adorning the walls of aristocratic salons, losing its power to strike the soul."

Upon hearing the words "noble salon," Sophia's expression instantly darkened.

Lionel's argument is not over yet:

"True moral strength often arises from a profound analysis of reality and from compassion and pity."

……

"Therefore, when writers reconcile 'truth' and 'morality,' it is not to embellish or avoid them, but to delve into the truth with fearless courage, and to guide readers to think about 'why' and 'how' while presenting 'what'.

……

"The highest form of literary ethics is not rigid dogma, but a profound understanding of human nature, a relentless exposure of injustice, and an unyielding pursuit of dignity and freedom!"

……

"As for those who attempt to define 'morality' and suppress 'truth' with money and power, they are often the least able to withstand the light of truth. Their 'morality' is nothing more than a fig leaf to maintain their own privileges and illusory sense of superiority."

……

Lionel finished his presentation, stood up, and bowed to the professor and dean: "I think my exam can now be over."

Then, amidst the cheers and applause of the students, he calmly walked through the crowd and left the scene.

Before leaving, he casually tossed Sofia a parting remark: "Your last French lesson is over, Miss Sofia Ivanovna Durova-Sherbatova."

Hearing this resounding sarcasm, Sophia was still able to stand, but Mrs. Rothschild, who had been listening in from the next room, went limp and slumped into the sofa.

(End of this chapter)