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My Father's Life Graded Abstract

Posted by Kate Long on February 26, 2001 at 16:31:06:

Kate Long
History 101/ Mr. Schwartz
Graded Abstract
February 26, 2001

Family: Ideals and Realities

Main Point: Rétif de la Bretonne’s My Father’s Life is a loving account of the life of
Edmond Rétif, the author’s father, which provides insight into family structure and the
patriarchy in eighteenth century rural France. The insight provided by this work is
especially important because it portrays a historical time period when change was
occurring in the definition and governance of the family. However, questions are raised
about the actual value of this insight by the differing interpretations by historians about
the level of historical reality in My Father’s Life and the level at which this work is an
idealized account.

Historical Change: At the time that the events in My Father’s Life took place, the
defining characteristics of "family" were undergoing major changes. The previous model
of authoritarian patriarchy, as demonstrated by Pierre Rétif, was shifting to a less severe,
more loving family environment, demonstrated by Edmond. While the father was still
seen as the undeniable authority figure and head of the family, parents were becoming
more involved in a more loving way in their children’s upbringing. In addition, the
nuclear family was beginning to develop to replace the classical archetype of the extended
family, which included servants and other members of the community. In Charlton’s
article, he writes that this time period was characterized by "a strengthening of the
nuclear unit within the wider family and also of the father’s powers within it...a perfect
example of this phase is seen in Rétif de la Bretonne’s idealising evocation of his own
village family and father in La Vie de mon père...(Charlton, p. 138)." In his article,
Charlton emphasizes the development of this new family ideal and points to My Father’s
Life as a prime example. While Edmond’s family is not a full manifestation of the loving
nuclear family, the differences between Edmond the patriarch and Pierre the patriarch
clearly demonstrate the transition being made towards this ideal.

Representation by Observer: In his Voyage d’Auvergne, Le Grand d’Aussy records his
observations on the peasant lifestyle in eighteenth century France made on a trip through
the countryside. This included observations made on peasant family life and the concept
of the community as extended family. He points out that, "It is very seldom, however,
that a family spends the winter alone and isolated in its stable. Ordinarily several
households get together; and if one of them has a stable that is larger or warmer than the
others, that is where the day is spent and the assembly is held (Le Grand d’Aussy, p.
147)." This representation of family life by Le Grand d’Aussy demonstrates the family
ideal before the shift to the nuclear family. However, it is important to note that the
accuracy of Le Grand d’Aussy’s account is in question due to the his biased viewpoint as
an outsider to the village.
An additional representation of this traditional family ideal can be found in the
etching "The Evening Meal" used in My Father’s Life. This etching shows the father at
the head of the table with his wife, children, and servants seated around him. This
etching demonstrates how large the traditional "family" could be, and how it could
include not just the core family members, but also included others who were not
necessarily relatives of the family, for example, the servants.

Reality of the Observed: In his statements about the changing family ideal, Charlton
provides many different explanations for this shift. One of the major reasons that
Charlton mentions for the shift to a more loving family is the changing childhood
mortality rates. Before this shift began, childhood mortality rates were very high.
According to Charlton, the reality that many of their children would not survive
childhood was "a fact discouraging parents from emotional involvement with their
offspring (Charlton, p. 141)." However, as the chances of a child surviving grew with
time, this encouraged parents to form more of an emotional bond with their children. In
addition to this, attitudes towards children seen in religious teachings affected the
parents’ views. Traditional Catholic teaching stressed the inherent evil in a child, who is
born with original sin, however, as Charlton points out, "religious traditions that were
heterodox from the Catholic standpoint led to distinctly different attitudes to the child
(Charlton, p. 142)." The Jansenist movement in France provided this differing attitude.
It was beginning to be more common for children to be seen as inherently good; with this
came the rise of parents having a loving attitude towards their children. These factual
pieces of evidence provided by Charlton lend truth to his statements about the changing
family ideal and allow us to understand why Edmond’s style of parenting changes so
much from his father’s.

Historians’ Differing Interpretations: Many of the articles that we have read provided
interpretations of the differences in family relations and governance seen in Pierre and
Edmond in their roles as patriarch. Poster and Schwartz, in particular, offer two differing
interpretations on this subject. Poster argues that the influence of the bourgeoisie is what
caused Edmond to be a more tolerant and less severe patriarch than his father, Pierre, had
been. Poster writes, "But Edme also manifested certain bourgeois traits. He established a
permissive, orderly, lawful system for bringing up his children and he was concerned with
the future of his children in a manner typical of the bourgeoisie (Poster, p. 238)." This is
clearly demonstrated in My Father’s Life, where Rétif de la Bretonne remarks that
"...[Edme] never showed any severity towards his eldest son...(Rétif de la Bretonne, p.
120)." It is also seen in Edmond’s system of punishment for misbehavior, where he
informed the child of his punishment and then gave the child eight days to make up for
the wrongdoing through good behavior and thus avoid the punishment. Edmond also
publicly praised his children for good behavior (Rétif de la Bretonne, p. 121-122). Poster
contrasts this with Pierre’s non-permissive manner of governing his family, commenting
on how "Pierre refused to allow his son to marry a Parisian woman and kept his children
close to the farm (Poster, p. 238)."
Schwartz argues not that the bourgeoisie influenced Edmond’s patriarchy, but
rather that the depiction of Edmond’s patriarchy is meant to influence the bourgeoisie.
Schwartz’s argument is that Rétif de la Bretonne portrays his father as a hero in hopes
that the upper class urban dwellers would look upon the peasantry as a guide to reforming
their own corrupt society. Schwartz would agree with Poster on the differences between
Edmond and Pierre as patriarchs, however he argues that the author purposely and
perhaps fictionally portrays his father and grandfather in this manner so as to represent
ideals that he wishes to see instated in the bourgeoisie lifestyle. Schwartz writes, "With
Pierre cast as the tyrant of a bygone era, Edme represented the enlightened monarch,
governing his family with wisdom and a manly affection, in sharp contrast to the stern
and remote force of Pierre (Schwartz, p. 10)." Edmond, the hard-working, moralistic
peasant farmer, strict yet loving father, and "forward-looking agent of change (Schwartz,
p. 17)", is meant to personify this ideal that Rétif de la Bretonne hopes will be used to
institute urban reform.

Connections: Bonnie Smith’s article can shed some additional light on the examination
of family life and the patriarchy in rural France, especially when looking at the section
entitled "Rural Life: Patriarchy, the Family, and Social Order" (Smith, p. 19-23). In this
section Smith discusses the patriarchal system and its influence on women and family
life. She also points to the trend in the eighteenth century of "infractions against
patriarchy" and "softening of patriarchy." (Smith, p. 21) This trend connects to the
previously mentioned concept of the shifting in family relations and the emergence of a
less severe patriarchy.

Works Cited:
Charlton, D. G.: New Images of the Natural in France
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982-1983.

Le Grand d’Aussy, Pierre Jean Baptist: Voyage d’Auvergne
Paris: Eugene Onfroy, 1788.

Poster, Mark: Patriarchy and Sexuality: Restif and the Peasant Family
The Eighteenth Century, vol. 25, no. 3, 1984.

Rétif de la Bretonne: My Father’s Life
Gloucester: Alan Sutton Publishing Limited, 1986.

Schwartz, Robert M.: The Peasant as Hero: Rousseau, Restif de la Bretonne,
and the Representation of Rustic Virtues
Le bonheur est un idée neuve. Hommage a Jean Bart
Dijon: Publications du Centre Georges Chevrier, 2000.

Smith, Bonnie G.: Changing Lives, Women in European History Since 1700
Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath and Company, 1989.

"The Evening Meal", from Rétif de la Bretonne: My Father’s Life
Gloucester: Alan Sutton Publishing Limited, 1986.

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: Kate Long : History 101/ Mr. Schwartz : Graded Abstract : February 26, 2001 : : Family: Ideals and Realities : Main Point: Rétif de la Bretonne’s My Father’s Life is a loving account of the life of : Edmond Rétif, the author’s father, which provides insight into family structure and the : patriarchy in eighteenth century rural France. The insight provided by this work is : especially important because it portrays a historical time period when change was : occurring in the definition and governance of the family. However, questions are raised : about the actual value of this insight by the differing interpretations by historians about : the level of historical reality in My Father’s Life and the level at which this work is an : idealized account. : Historical Change: At the time that the events in My Father’s Life took place, the : defining characteristics of "family" were undergoing major changes. The previous model : of authoritarian patriarchy, as demonstrated by Pierre Rétif, was shifting to a less severe, : more loving family environment, demonstrated by Edmond. While the father was still : seen as the undeniable authority figure and head of the family, parents were becoming : more involved in a more loving way in their children’s upbringing. In addition, the : nuclear family was beginning to develop to replace the classical archetype of the extended : family, which included servants and other members of the community. In Charlton’s : article, he writes that this time period was characterized by "a strengthening of the : nuclear unit within the wider family and also of the father’s powers within it...a perfect : example of this phase is seen in Rétif de la Bretonne’s idealising evocation of his own : village family and father in La Vie de mon père...(Charlton, p. 138)." In his article, : Charlton emphasizes the development of this new family ideal and points to My Father’s : Life as a prime example. While Edmond’s family is not a full manifestation of the loving : nuclear family, the differences between Edmond the patriarch and Pierre the patriarch : clearly demonstrate the transition being made towards this ideal. : Representation by Observer: In his Voyage d’Auvergne, Le Grand d’Aussy records his : observations on the peasant lifestyle in eighteenth century France made on a trip through : the countryside. This included observations made on peasant family life and the concept : of the community as extended family. He points out that, "It is very seldom, however, : that a family spends the winter alone and isolated in its stable. Ordinarily several : households get together; and if one of them has a stable that is larger or warmer than the : others, that is where the day is spent and the assembly is held (Le Grand d’Aussy, p. : 147)." This representation of family life by Le Grand d’Aussy demonstrates the family : ideal before the shift to the nuclear family. However, it is important to note that the : accuracy of Le Grand d’Aussy’s account is in question due to the his biased viewpoint as : an outsider to the village. : An additional representation of this traditional family ideal can be found in the : etching "The Evening Meal" used in My Father’s Life. This etching shows the father at : the head of the table with his wife, children, and servants seated around him. This : etching demonstrates how large the traditional "family" could be, and how it could : include not just the core family members, but also included others who were not : necessarily relatives of the family, for example, the servants. : Reality of the Observed: In his statements about the changing family ideal, Charlton : provides many different explanations for this shift. One of the major reasons that : Charlton mentions for the shift to a more loving family is the changing childhood : mortality rates. Before this shift began, childhood mortality rates were very high. : According to Charlton, the reality that many of their children would not survive : childhood was "a fact discouraging parents from emotional involvement with their : offspring (Charlton, p. 141)." However, as the chances of a child surviving grew with : time, this encouraged parents to form more of an emotional bond with their children. In : addition to this, attitudes towards children seen in religious teachings affected the : parents’ views. Traditional Catholic teaching stressed the inherent evil in a child, who is : born with original sin, however, as Charlton points out, "religious traditions that were : heterodox from the Catholic standpoint led to distinctly different attitudes to the child : (Charlton, p. 142)." The Jansenist movement in France provided this differing attitude. : It was beginning to be more common for children to be seen as inherently good; with this : came the rise of parents having a loving attitude towards their children. These factual : pieces of evidence provided by Charlton lend truth to his statements about the changing : family ideal and allow us to understand why Edmond’s style of parenting changes so : much from his father’s. : Historians’ Differing Interpretations: Many of the articles that we have read provided : interpretations of the differences in family relations and governance seen in Pierre and : Edmond in their roles as patriarch. Poster and Schwartz, in particular, offer two differing : interpretations on this subject. Poster argues that the influence of the bourgeoisie is what : caused Edmond to be a more tolerant and less severe patriarch than his father, Pierre, had : been. Poster writes, "But Edme also manifested certain bourgeois traits. He established a : permissive, orderly, lawful system for bringing up his children and he was concerned with : the future of his children in a manner typical of the bourgeoisie (Poster, p. 238)." This is : clearly demonstrated in My Father’s Life, where Rétif de la Bretonne remarks that : "...[Edme] never showed any severity towards his eldest son...(Rétif de la Bretonne, p. : 120)." It is also seen in Edmond’s system of punishment for misbehavior, where he : informed the child of his punishment and then gave the child eight days to make up for : the wrongdoing through good behavior and thus avoid the punishment. Edmond also : publicly praised his children for good behavior (Rétif de la Bretonne, p. 121-122). Poster : contrasts this with Pierre’s non-permissive manner of governing his family, commenting : on how "Pierre refused to allow his son to marry a Parisian woman and kept his children : close to the farm (Poster, p. 238)." : Schwartz argues not that the bourgeoisie influenced Edmond’s patriarchy, but : rather that the depiction of Edmond’s patriarchy is meant to influence the bourgeoisie. : Schwartz’s argument is that Rétif de la Bretonne portrays his father as a hero in hopes : that the upper class urban dwellers would look upon the peasantry as a guide to reforming : their own corrupt society. Schwartz would agree with Poster on the differences between : Edmond and Pierre as patriarchs, however he argues that the author purposely and : perhaps fictionally portrays his father and grandfather in this manner so as to represent : ideals that he wishes to see instated in the bourgeoisie lifestyle. Schwartz writes, "With : Pierre cast as the tyrant of a bygone era, Edme represented the enlightened monarch, : governing his family with wisdom and a manly affection, in sharp contrast to the stern : and remote force of Pierre (Schwartz, p. 10)." Edmond, the hard-working, moralistic : peasant farmer, strict yet loving father, and "forward-looking agent of change (Schwartz, : p. 17)", is meant to personify this ideal that Rétif de la Bretonne hopes will be used to : institute urban reform. : Connections: Bonnie Smith’s article can shed some additional light on the examination : of family life and the patriarchy in rural France, especially when looking at the section : entitled "Rural Life: Patriarchy, the Family, and Social Order" (Smith, p. 19-23). In this : section Smith discusses the patriarchal system and its influence on women and family : life. She also points to the trend in the eighteenth century of "infractions against : patriarchy" and "softening of patriarchy." (Smith, p. 21) This trend connects to the : previously mentioned concept of the shifting in family relations and the emergence of a : less severe patriarchy. : Works Cited: : Charlton, D. G.: New Images of the Natural in France : Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982-1983. : Le Grand d’Aussy, Pierre Jean Baptist: Voyage d’Auvergne : Paris: Eugene Onfroy, 1788. : Poster, Mark: Patriarchy and Sexuality: Restif and the Peasant Family : The Eighteenth Century, vol. 25, no. 3, 1984. : Rétif de la Bretonne: My Father’s Life : Gloucester: Alan Sutton Publishing Limited, 1986. : Schwartz, Robert M.: The Peasant as Hero: Rousseau, Restif de la Bretonne, : and the Representation of Rustic Virtues : Le bonheur est un idée neuve. Hommage a Jean Bart : Dijon: Publications du Centre Georges Chevrier, 2000. : Smith, Bonnie G.: Changing Lives, Women in European History Since 1700 : Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath and Company, 1989. : "The Evening Meal", from Rétif de la Bretonne: My Father’s Life : Gloucester: Alan Sutton Publishing Limited, 1986.

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