The Decline of the Age of Louis XIV: French Literature, 1687-1715

"The Decline of the Age of Louis XIV, Or, French Literature, 1687-1715" provides a comprehensive examination of the literary and cultural landscape during the final decades of the Sun King's long reign. This scholarly work explores the pivotal shift in French letters as the classical grandeur of the seventeenth century began to give way to the burgeoning spirit of the early Enlightenment.

The study delves into the works of influential figures such as Saint-Simon, Fénelon, and La Bruyère, analyzing how the changing political and social climate of France influenced their writing. Arthur Augustus Tilley meticulously tracks the evolution of various genres, including memoirs, sermons, and early philosophical essays, offering insights into the intellectual ferment of an era marked by both religious controversy and the seeds of modern thought. This volume serves as an essential resource for those interested in French history and literature, capturing a transformative period when the traditional authority of the Grand Siècle faced new challenges from a rising generation of thinkers.

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