The Temptation of St. Anthony

Оглавление

Gustave Flaubert. The Temptation of St. Anthony

INTRODUCTION

ARGUMENT

THE TEMPTATION OF ST. ANTHONY

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III

IV

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VII

[NOTE

ADDENDA

Отрывок из книги

Sunset in the desert. Enfeebled by prolonged fasting, the hermit finds himself unable to concentrate his mind upon holy things. His thoughts wonder; memories of youth evoke regrets that his relaxed will can no longer find strength to suppress, – and, remembrance begetting remembrance, his fancy leads him upon dangerous ground. He dreams of his flight from home, – of Ammonaria, his sister's playmate, – of his misery in the waste, – his visit to Alexandria with the blind monk Didymus, – the unholy sights of the luxurious city.

Involuntarily he yields to the nervous dissatisfaction growing upon him. He laments his solitude, his joylessness, his poverty, the obscurity of his life; grace departs from him; hope burns low within his heart. Suddenly revolting against his weakness, he seeks refuge from distraction in the study of the Scriptures.

.....

These images appear suddenly, as in flashes – outlined against the background of the night, like scarlet paintings executed upon ebony.

Their motion accelerates. They defile by with vertiginous rapidity. Sometimes again, they pause and gradually pale and melt away; or else float off out of sight, to be immediately succeeded by others.

.....