Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 457 Have the French lost their self-confidence?

Upon their return to Paris, Lionel Sorel and his companions immediately became the undisputed protagonists of the city.

Parisian salons, cafes, and newspapers were quickly filled with talk of "America's return."

A whirlwind called "America" ​​is violently impacting this city that prides itself on being the "capital of Europeans."

Apart from Lionel, who declined almost all public appearances and interviews, the other authors accepted almost all offers.

They had just finished a grand tour and were eager to share their experiences in the New World with their compatriots.

In an interview with Le Figaro, Émile Zola said, "We must admit that the optimism and confidence shown by American society is something that is rare in Europe today, especially in France."

In New York, in Boston, in San Francisco... you can feel a belief—that tomorrow will be better, that you can change your destiny through hard work.

This is a powerful spiritual force. Of course, this force is crude, even barbaric; their cities lack the refinement of Paris, and their social etiquette is sometimes overly rude and direct.

But you can't deny its vibrant vitality. In contrast, I sometimes feel that France might be too refined, to the point that it appears remarkably weary in some ways.

These remarks, once published in Le Figaro, immediately caused a huge uproar.

Some readers appreciated Zola's candor, while others felt offended, believing that Zola exaggerated America's merits.

Alphonse Daudet serialized his travelogues in America in Le Petit Parish, and his writing was gentler and more poetic.

He described the grand procession that welcomed him and his party in New York Harbor, marveling at the ambition of an emerging nation to shape its own image.

He wrote about the hungry young faces in the Boston Library, arguing that Americans' thirst for knowledge was no less than their pursuit of wealth.

They may not yet have their own Molière or Hugo, but like an infant suckling its mother's milk, they are absorbing the nourishment of European culture and striving to utter their first cry.

This is a restless energy filled with hope!

In a salon interview with Gilles Blas magazine, Edmond de Goncourt admitted that American industry had shocked him, but also criticized its cultural shallowness and excessive materialism.

"Everything there revolves around 'usefulness' and 'efficiency,' and even art and literature are often regarded as an 'industry,' which makes us feel somewhat uncomfortable."

But you have to admire their drive; they're building, building like crazy, the whole country is one giant construction site.

We seem to be better at arguing in a room, but once we step outside, we're helpless when it comes to real-world problems.

Joris-Karl Huysman wrote an article in Modern Life magazine that detailed how the American media works.

What surprised me most was not how large their newspaper sales were, but their frankness in dealing with criticism.

What happened when Sorel bluntly pointed out in San Francisco that they had 'tin coin emperors' and 'town lords'?
Even those media outlets that disagreed with his views published his speech verbatim, which sparked a nationwide discussion.

Even when facing foreigners, they possess the courage and confidence to acknowledge their own shortcomings.

This is unimaginable in Paris!

Of course, the most popular one is Guy de Maupassant.

He published a series of articles in Le Figaro, which were vivid, lively, and full of intriguing details, greatly satisfying the curiosity of Parisians.

He vividly described New York's towering bridges, joked about the enormous portions and monotonous flavors of American food, and proudly mentioned how he captivated young female students during his university lectures.

He even wrote a special article about American women—

American women, especially young college girls, possess a boldness and frankness rarely seen in Europe.

They dare to express their opinions in public, dare to look men in the eye, and even dare to actively pursue the person they like!

Of course, the ladies of Boston were an exception, dressed as if they were going to be burned at the stake by the Inquisition.

Can you imagine? They even organized their own book clubs and societies to discuss politics and social issues, not just fashion and gossip.

This is truly impressive, and also a little overwhelming.

This article was repeatedly quoted and discussed in salons and cafes in Paris, sparking another round of heated debate about women's status and education.

Through the eyes and pens of these writers, a more vivid and authentic image of America gradually became clear in the minds of Parisians.

It is no longer just a "nouveau riche with only money and steel," devoid of history and culture.

It has flesh and blood, it has spirit, it has both admirable vitality and unsettling flaws.

The writers' observations inevitably sparked collective reflection among the Parisian media and intellectual circles.

In an editorial, La Repubblica wrote:

Our writers brought back not only exotic sights and experiences, but also reflections of France's current weariness.

We have the Louvre, the Pantheon, and a splendid culture that has spanned more than a dozen centuries. This is our pride, but it has also become our burden.

While we wallow in past glories and become accustomed to endless, pointless debates in salons, a young giant across the Atlantic is expanding its territory and shaping its future with almost reckless energy. Have we, in spirit, already become a faltering "old woman"?

The metaphor of the "old woman" quickly captured the imagination of the Parisian public and also stung the nerves of many.

Le Figaro's commentary attempted to balance this reflection:
Let us remain sober, gentlemen! America’s dynamism is admirable, but its problems are equally alarming—

The tin currency system was a form of disguised enslavement of workers, racial segregation persisted, and elections were rife with violence... These were all cancers plaguing civilized society!

France's "old" is maturity, accumulation, and the practice of "liberty, equality, and fraternity" after weathering the storms of revolution. We need not underestimate ourselves!

Our mission is not to imitate America's "new" aspects, but to revitalize our "old" aspects.

Soon, different voices began to emerge, and they grew louder and louder.

The conservative newspaper *France-Action* was the first to launch an attack, criticizing the newspaper by name almost explicitly:

Some of our writers went to the United States, breathed in some of its air filled with the stench of money and coal dust, and came back as if they had developed 'amnesia'!
They have forgotten whose language is revered as the most elegant tool of communication by the world, forgotten whose literature has illuminated the human spirit, and forgotten whose revolution has inspired the world!

The "optimism and positivity" that Mr. Zola saw was nothing more than a shallow satisfaction after accumulating material possessions; the "female independence" that Mr. Maupassant admired deviated from the traditional virtues that God taught us; and the "media candor" that Mr. Huysmann praised was nothing more than a performance driven by commercial interests!
Gentlemen, do you still remember that you are French? Have you been so blinded by the allure of American dollars that you have lost even the most basic confidence in our own civilization?

The Paris Echoes also joined the debate, sarcastically remarking:

It seems that our literary giants not only brought back their observations of America, but also the American spirit of "self-criticism".

However, they applied this criticism to their own country, which is a dangerous tendency!

When internal criticism combines with external "role models," it will shake the very foundations of our nation!

These criticisms are not unfounded.

In some salon gatherings, a voice has indeed begun to emerge that the United States should be regarded as a beacon of the future, and that France should humble itself and learn from America’s pragmatism and efficiency.

The constant cabinet changes and stagnant national development of the Third Republic made it seem as if France was indeed old and frail.

This kind of argument has made many conservative elites uneasy.

The public opinion in Paris was immediately divided.

In the coffee shop, people argued heatedly about whether "America is a role model or a warning."

In the salon, ladies and gentlemen engaged in a sharp debate about whether France was already old.

One debate article after another appeared in the newspapers, with viewpoints clashing fiercely and sparks flying.

Those who support Zola and others believe that true patriotism lies in daring to face the strengths of other countries and one's own shortcomings.

Opponents, however, accused them of being misled by the "American myth" and losing their cultural confidence.

For two whole weeks, the French media was in an uproar over Lionel and his delegation's trip to the United States.

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In his apartment at 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Lionel Sorel remained oblivious to the noise outside his window.

The pile of manuscript papers on his desk grew higher and higher. He had just finished writing the French manuscript of "The Sun Also Rises" and was now busy writing outlines for eight stories about the "Perel".

The only reason I would go out was to the Comédie-Française to watch the final rehearsals of "Café" before its premiere.

Sophie would sometimes bring him newspapers and read him a few paragraphs of heated debates.

Lionel usually just listens, occasionally smiling: "Let them argue; the debate itself is a sign of vitality."

If France can't even tolerate this little dissenting voice, then it truly is old.

He walked to the window and looked down at the bustling crowds on the street below, where newsboys were loudly hawking the latest issue of the newspaper.

Lionel said, "You see, Paris is still Paris. It will digest all of this, just as it has digested countless shocks like this before."

Ultimately, it will continue on its own path.

Sophie asked with a smile, "You really don't want to say anything? You know, 'The Café' is about to premiere..."

Lionel turned to look at her and smiled, "You understand me better and better."

After saying that, he pulled out two thin sheets of paper from the manuscript on the table and handed them to Sophie: "Send this to the Republic newspaper."

Sophie took the manuscript paper, and the title was strikingly clear:
Have the French lost their self-confidence?

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(End of this chapter)