Robert Brasillach

Robert Brasillach was a French journalist, novelist, and poet who played a significant role in French literature during the 20th century. He was born in Perpignan, France, and later moved to Paris, where he became involved with various literary magazines, including Action Française and Je suis partout. Brasillach's work was heavily influenced by Maurice Barrès, Charles Maurras, and Léon Daudet, and he was known for his nationalist and anti-Semitic views, which were reflected in his writings for Gringoire and Candide.

● Early Life and Education

Brasillach was born to a family of Catalan descent and spent his early years in Perpignan before moving to Paris to pursue his education. He attended the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and later the École Normale Supérieure, where he studied alongside Jean-Paul Sartre, Paul Nizan, and Raymond Aron. During his time at the École Normale Supérieure, Brasillach became interested in French literature and began to develop his writing skills, influenced by authors such as Marcel Proust, André Gide, and Jean Cocteau. He also became acquainted with the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Arthur Schopenhauer, and Oswald Spengler, which would later shape his philosophical and political views.

● Literary Career

Brasillach's literary career began in the 1920s, when he started writing for various literary magazines, including Action Française and Je suis partout. He became known for his novels, such as Le Voleur d'étincelles and L'Enfant de la nuit, which explored themes of love, death, and identity. Brasillach's writing style was influenced by French Symbolism and Surrealism, and he was praised by critics such as André Breton and Louis Aragon. He also wrote for Le Figaro, Le Temps, and La Revue des Deux Mondes, and was a member of the Académie Goncourt, alongside André Malraux and Jean Giono.

● Political Views and Activism

Brasillach's political views were shaped by his nationalist and anti-Semitic beliefs, which were reflected in his writings for Gringoire and Candide. He was a strong supporter of French fascism and Maurice Barrès, and was influenced by the ideas of Charles Maurras and Léon Daudet. Brasillach was also a member of the French Popular Party and the National Popular Rally, and was involved in the Collaborationist movement during World War II. He wrote for Le Petit Parisien and La Liberté, and was a vocal supporter of the Vichy government and Philippe Pétain. Brasillach's political views were criticized by authors such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and André Malraux, who opposed his fascist and anti-Semitic ideology.

● Trial and Execution

After the Liberation of Paris in 1944, Brasillach was arrested and put on trial for his collaborationist activities during World War II. The trial was widely publicized, and Brasillach was defended by Jacques Isorni, a prominent French lawyer. Despite his defense, Brasillach was found guilty and sentenced to death, and was executed by firing squad at the Fort de Montrouge in Arcueil, France. The execution was witnessed by François Mauriac, André Malraux, and Jean-Paul Sartre, who had all spoken out against Brasillach's fascist and anti-Semitic views.

● Legacy and Controversy

Brasillach's legacy is marked by controversy, with some critics viewing him as a fascist and anti-Semitic ideologue, while others see him as a talented writer and poet who was caught up in the politics of his time. His work has been praised by authors such as Louis-Ferdinand Céline and Jean Genet, who saw him as a literary innovator and a cultural critic. However, his anti-Semitic views and collaborationist activities during World War II have been widely condemned by authors such as Elie Wiesel, Primo Levi, and Claude Lanzmann. Today, Brasillach's work is still studied by scholars of French literature and history, who seek to understand the complex and often contradictory nature of his literary and political legacy. Category:French writers