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Restif to Sands: Men and Fatherhood

Posted by Lindsay Theile on March 11, 2001 at 13:01:54:

Lindsay Theile
March 12, 2001
History 101
Mr. Schwartz

I. Point of Departure
In “My Father’s Life,” Restif examines the change in the ideals of parenting during the eighteenth century. Pierre raises his children during a time period when fathers are to be feared by their children. Fathers are the ultimate decision maker in the family and children are taught not to question their fathers. Edme, on the contrary, raises his children during a time when fathers are much more affectionate and understanding. Edme wants the best for his children and encourages them to seek opportunity by venturing into Paris.

II. Connection and Continuation
From Restif de la Bretonne’s “My Father’s Life” to George Sand’s “The Devil’s Pool,” we see a great change in communication and understanding between father and son. Their relationship has bloomed into one in which they are able to speak freely with each other. Sons no longer fear their fathers, but feel comfortable enough in their company to speak honestly about their feelings. This change is demonstrated through the relationship between Germain and Petit-Pierre, as well as the relationship between Father Maurice and Germain.
In stark contrast to Pierre’s parenting style of dictating his children’s lives, Germain allows Petit-Pierre to make many of his own decisions, regardless of how trivial. After Germain and Marie stumble upon the sleeping child on their journey, Petit-Pierre begs his father that he be taken along, and because “Germain had a father’s heart, as soft and weak as a woman’s” (Sand, 35), he succumbs to taking him. Again, when Marie and Germain split up after their journey to Fourche, Petit-Pierre wishes to go with Marie instead of his own father. Despite the fact that Germain is hurt, he allows Petit-Pierre to travel further with Marie.
Father Maurice and Germain also show a change in the father-son relationship. Father Maurice is similar to Pierre in some ways, in that he wants Germain to be married and he wants to have a daughter-in-law to raise his grandchildren. Yet Germain does not feel pressured to obey Maurice because he fears him; rather, he listens to Maurice out of respect because Germain is “entirely devoted...to the head of the house” (Sand, 25). When Germain returns back to his village from Fourche and explains to Maurice why he does not wish to marry Catherine Leonard, Maurice understands, saying, “You were not wrong, Germain; that could never be...God’s will be done. Love can’t be made to order” (Sand, 85). If Germain were telling Pierre that he did not wish to marry Catherine, Pierre would have completely ignored Germain’s reasoning and forced him to marry, despite Germain’s feelings.

Works Cited
Bretonne, Rétif de la. My Father’s Life. Trans. Richard Veasey. Great Britain: Alan Sutton Publishing Limited, 1986.

Sand, George. The Devil’s Pool. New York: E.P. Dutton and Company, 1930.

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: Lindsay Theile : March 12, 2001 : History 101 : Mr. Schwartz : I. Point of Departure : In “My Father’s Life,” Restif examines the change in the ideals of parenting during the eighteenth century. Pierre raises his children during a time period when fathers are to be feared by their children. Fathers are the ultimate decision maker in the family and children are taught not to question their fathers. Edme, on the contrary, raises his children during a time when fathers are much more affectionate and understanding. Edme wants the best for his children and encourages them to seek opportunity by venturing into Paris. : II. Connection and Continuation : From Restif de la Bretonne’s “My Father’s Life” to George Sand’s “The Devil’s Pool,” we see a great change in communication and understanding between father and son. Their relationship has bloomed into one in which they are able to speak freely with each other. Sons no longer fear their fathers, but feel comfortable enough in their company to speak honestly about their feelings. This change is demonstrated through the relationship between Germain and Petit-Pierre, as well as the relationship between Father Maurice and Germain. : In stark contrast to Pierre’s parenting style of dictating his children’s lives, Germain allows Petit-Pierre to make many of his own decisions, regardless of how trivial. After Germain and Marie stumble upon the sleeping child on their journey, Petit-Pierre begs his father that he be taken along, and because “Germain had a father’s heart, as soft and weak as a woman’s” (Sand, 35), he succumbs to taking him. Again, when Marie and Germain split up after their journey to Fourche, Petit-Pierre wishes to go with Marie instead of his own father. Despite the fact that Germain is hurt, he allows Petit-Pierre to travel further with Marie. : Father Maurice and Germain also show a change in the father-son relationship. Father Maurice is similar to Pierre in some ways, in that he wants Germain to be married and he wants to have a daughter-in-law to raise his grandchildren. Yet Germain does not feel pressured to obey Maurice because he fears him; rather, he listens to Maurice out of respect because Germain is “entirely devoted...to the head of the house” (Sand, 25). When Germain returns back to his village from Fourche and explains to Maurice why he does not wish to marry Catherine Leonard, Maurice understands, saying, “You were not wrong, Germain; that could never be...God’s will be done. Love can’t be made to order” (Sand, 85). If Germain were telling Pierre that he did not wish to marry Catherine, Pierre would have completely ignored Germain’s reasoning and forced him to marry, despite Germain’s feelings. : Works Cited : Bretonne, Rétif de la. My Father’s Life. Trans. Richard Veasey. Great Britain: Alan Sutton Publishing Limited, 1986. : Sand, George. The Devil’s Pool. New York: E.P. Dutton and Company, 1930. :

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