The Legend of St. Julian I
41-56

The Legend of St. Julian  I

Before writing this story, Flaubert carried out extensive research to ensure that his details of the medieval life were representative of the Ages.  In this passage he describes the castle and the clothes of its lord and lady.  But the form of the story is that of medieval legends, fantasy a bit like fairy tales, which medieval men and women would tell and pass on orally.  There were in fact legends of St. Julian.

The legend of St. Julian originated in the middle ages and spread throughout Europe.  Flaubert was inspired in part by a beautiful stain glass window of St. Julian in the Cathedral of Rouen, where Flaubert was brought up.

1.a.  41-43(top) On these pages, which descriptions of the castle, the lord and lady, and the banquet seem to give realistic details (you’ll probably have to guess in answering this question)?  How do the same descriptions integrate these details into a fantasized setting and characters? 

b. 43-44 “The newly…really heard it” Which prophesies do the lady and the lord hear?  Why is each happy with his or her prophesy? What values do each of the prophesies express?  Does it seem possible for Julian to be both?  Explain. 

·        

c.  44-45 “Husband and wife…joined in prayer” Which values and dreams of the two parents are expressed by their and the monk’s teaching of Julian? by those who visit the castle?  Divide into two lists. What questions does the combination of these different teachings raise for Julian?

2.  45-49  “One day…arms spread out”  With the words “One day,” the narrator switches from describing the family’s habitual actions to narrating specific actions:  the story.  In this passage, how does Julian change? Cite some exemplary passages.  How do his actions relate to the different teachings of his two parents? How are his actions different from both? Why do you think this change happens to him?  What does the abyss into which he almost falls and his obsessive hunting seem to represent?

3.  a.  49-51 “Going down the plain…pool of blood”  What gradually happens in this scene?  What does this scene resemble?  What does the scene represent for Julian?  What is he trying to kill off in himself?

·        

b. 51-3 “Julian leaned…never to return” Interpret the scene with the stag, doe, and fawn.  What desires and values is Julian trying to kill off?  Explain.  

·        

4.  53-56 “He enlisted…oriental manner”  How does Julian change in these scenes?  Whose ideal is he trying to become? What does he become before his marriage? and after his marriage?  How do these stages of his life relate to his father’s and mother’s values and the two predictions of his future?