Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 138 A Deal Made with the Devil

Lionel's response to reporters in front of 64 Lafitte Street, especially his "conscientious suggestion" to a reporter from The Universal that "the church can start collecting tithes again," was like pouring cold water into a boiling oil pan, instantly igniting the already tense public opinion battle.

The newspaper *La Repubblica* immediately reprinted Lionel's statement in full, with a striking headline—

Don't let the tithe return to France.

The report praised Lionel's response as "logically clear and to the point," using the "tithing" assumption to "ruthlessly expose the hypocrisy of the church in trying to maintain educational privileges without assuming corresponding public responsibility."

The article reiterates that only a state-led, free, compulsory, and secular public education system can achieve true educational equity and cultivate countless cornerstones for France's future.

Le Figaro, on the other hand, reported the event in a relatively objective tone, with the headline being—

Stable, comprehensive, and sustainable: Lionel Sorel points directly to the core of education reform.

The article focuses on quoting Lionel's views on education reform, but largely ignores the satire of the "tithing" and specifically emphasizes that Lionel did not completely deny the role of early church schools.

The Universal newspaper reacted most fiercely, launching a vicious personal attack on Lionel Sorel on its front page the following day with the headline "The Venomous Tongue of an Ingratitude—Lionel Sorel!"
We once held this young writer in good faith, seeing him as the fruit of good seeds sown in church schools, praising the lingering glimmer of compassion in his works. However, we were wrong! Tempted by worldly fame and fortune, and seduced by republican atheism, Lionel Sorel utterly exposed the depravity of his soul!
His malicious and blasphemous metaphor of the tithe is a profound insult to the countless nuns and priests who have devoted themselves to education! It is a complete betrayal of the Church's millennia-long contribution to the moral foundation of France!

Bishop Gilbert of the Archdiocese of Paris was furious: "This arrogant young man must be taught a lesson! Does he think he can trample on the dignity of the Holy Church with a little literary talent?"

"Letter from an Unknown Woman" is the best example! Isn't the 'evil tendency' of this novel very obvious?
The fact that he could write such a work is precisely the inevitable consequence of his departure from the moral education of the church and his indulgence in worldly desires!
Let all of Paris know that Lionel Sorel's work reeks of moral depravity!

Gilbert's orders were swiftly carried out. In the following days, both Le Universal and Le Croix, Parisian pro-church newspapers, published harsh criticisms of "Letter from an Unknown Woman."

The report described it as "a poisonous weed that tempts the soul to depravity," "a desecration of pure love," and "a declaration of indulging immoral lust."

Some reports even compared "Letter from an Unknown Woman" to "Decadent City," claiming that "'The Conscience of the Sorbonne' and 'An Honest Parisian' are essentially the same kind of person!"

However, none of this could stop Lionel from winning more praise in literary circles!

When Lionel entered the room at Flaubert’s Sunday, he was greeted with applause from everyone.

These most progressive French writers, without exception, were proponents of universal free education—in fact, this policy was closely related to their own interests.

The higher the literacy rate and the stronger the reading ability of the French, the higher the sales of literary works, especially novels.

Forty years ago, the best-selling novel in France was Eugène Sue's "The Secret of Paris," which tells the story of a nobleman who transforms into a knight-errant at night to punish evil and, by a twist of fate, rescues his daughter who has been forced into prostitution.

The standalone edition of this popular novel sold approximately 2 to 3 copies.

Today, Zola's "The Little Tavern," a rather serious work of naturalism, sold 55,000 copies in its first edition.

Besides the decrease in the price of books, the biggest reason is the increasing accessibility of education, which has greatly increased the number of readers in France.

However, disagreements arose later regarding whether to voice support for Édouard-Benoît de Villeneuve.

Flaubert seemed deeply concerned: "A joint signature? This... is probably a trap. I don't care what that Villeneuve wrote, but he's a complete fraudster with a long list of crimes."

If we rashly stand up against the church's exorcism of him—no matter how absurd the ritual—it could easily be misinterpreted as protecting a fraudster! This would provide excellent ammunition for those church newspapers, who would say, 'Look! These atheist writers, they really are in cahoots with the devil!'

Having experienced the trials and controversies surrounding "Madame Bovary," Flaubert was deeply wary of the treacherous nature of public opinion and the irrationality of the masses.

Zola, however, held a completely different view: "On the contrary, Gustave! It is precisely at times like these that we should stand up! That so-called 'Great Exorcism Ritual' is nothing but a medieval farce!"

It attempts to explain the act of creation with the superstitious excuse of 'demon possession,' which is an insult to human reason and the identity of a writer!
If we remain silent, it's tantamount to acquiescing to the Church's right to interpret literary works and judicial decisions using superstition! This is far more harmful than the crime of a fraudster!

This time, Maupassant did not side with the teacher. He had a deep-seated hatred for the church since childhood and even deliberately made mistakes to get expelled from church schools, so his attitude was even more firm: "I completely agree with Emile! Who cares about the risks of public opinion!"
I'll support anything that makes those charlatans unhappy! Sign it! We must sign it! And we need to get more people to sign it! Let the church know that not everyone buys into their 'devilish' tricks!

At this point, everyone noticed that one person was unusually silent. It was Lionel, who had also received a letter from the "French Writers' Association," so they stopped arguing and turned their attention to him.

Everyone wanted to hear what he had to say.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

At the same time, in a cold, dark basement of Notre Dame Cathedral, Édouard-Benoît de Villeneuve, dressed in prison clothes and looking haggard, was brought out alone.

The Vatican's special envoy, Father Jean-Jacques Fulcard, stood before him, his expression solemn, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority: "Villeneuve, you should know that this exorcism is to save your soul, which has been defiled by the devil..."

This is also to salvage the increasingly decadent atmosphere of Paris. To achieve the best… um… 'healing effect,' and to allow believers to witness the power of the Holy Light firsthand, you need—'cooperation.'

Édouard Benoît raised his eyelids and laughed mockingly: “Cooperate? Father, do you mean like a circus monkey, rolling around on stage, screaming, and spouting 'devilish whispers' that no one can understand?”

Father Fulcard's face darkened: "Watch your words! This is a sacred ceremony! You need to show the pain of being tormented by the devil, struggling and wailing under the pressure of holy water, relics, and prayers!"
When the Holy Light finally drives out the demons, you should express liberation and gratitude! The more authentic and intense your 'performance', the more it proves the success of the ritual, and the more it... reflects the mercy of the Church, which may... be helpful to your future situation.

Bishop Gibel stepped forward, his voice low and somber: "Villeneuve, we are willing to give you a chance to truly redeem yourself, as long as you utilize your acting talents..."

During the ceremony, the moment you 'regain consciousness,' you need to confess to everyone! Confess to the reasons for your downfall—

It is precisely because you unfortunately left the church school that you were corrupted by the evils of the world, and slid step by step into the abyss of fraud and the creation of obscene books!

You must warn everyone that only by returning to the embrace of the church and receiving orthodox moral education can they avoid tragedies like yours!

Edward Benoît remained silent, staring intently into Bishop Gilbert's eyes.

Bishop Gibel leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice even further: "If you can do that, and be sincere and... convincing enough, I can let you serve your sentence in a regular prison."

Think about it, Villeneuve, would you rather go to Toulon to sunbathe, or go to Salpêtrière to be chained up and locked up with real madmen?

Villeneuve's body trembled almost imperceptibly. He raised his head, his smile nearly distorted: "As you two wish, I will certainly 'act' well in this play..."

Only after the two high-ranking clergymen had disappeared from sight did Edward Benoît shudder, as if he had just made a deal with the devil.

(End of this chapter)