Spatial Structure in Saint-Simonian Poetics
95
ponts plus longs que des chaussées, et de fortes machines dont l’âme est de vapeur,
les muscles d’acier, les flancs de fonte, et qui marchent seules.
7
Here, the prospect of Enfantin’s ascension – and thereby, the realization of the Saint-Simonian utopia – inspires the speaker to transform
nature. This might be described as a sort of lyrical country planning
according to which the earth is seen as a body whose udders can be
milked and whose entrails can be explored. The introduction of numerous verbs of movement and multiple nouns into the phrase and the
speaker’s imagined transformation of earth, sea and sky produces
pleasurable new configurations of sensation, reflected in the organic
motifs of “mamelle” and “lait de feu”. However, the poetic gaze never
lingers to internalize what is glimpsed, as is seen in the suddenness of
the “vrai vautour” and the prolonged description of the quasi-organic
machine which ends with the abrupt cadence “et qui marchent seules”.
Elsewhere, Duveyrier’s treatment of even the most minor details of
the Saint-Simonians’ programme of aménagements is related in highly
expressive terms:
Quelles fêtes que celles qui dresseront leurs tentes sur les flancs boisés des
montagnes des Cauteretz et des deux Bagnères pour l’application des bains chauds
aux douleurs du peuple, pour l’ouverture des plantations des Pyrénées, pour
l’introduction de la vigne aux roches du Roussillon et le retournement et le labour
des terres grasses et fraîches des plaines de Tarbes, des mamelons de fougères
dorées au pays des Basques!
8
This ecstatic organicizing presentation of public works and routine agricultural reforms is continued later in the same text when he writes
that: “[…] la terre nourricière tressaille du désir de nourrir et réjouir
les misérables. La terre les appelle à fouiller ses entrailles […]”.
9 In a
discussion from the Livre nouveau Duveyrier complained that contemporary poetry exalted its objects, and that its contemplative tone
placed barriers in front of sensual immediacy:
___________________________
7 Charles Duveyrier, “Au Père”, in Barrault, Émile and others, Le Livre nouveau des
Saint-Simoniens, pp. 210-22 (p. 211 and p. 219).
8 Charles Duveyrier, “Travaux publics. – Fêtes.”, in Le Globe, 16 April 1832; repr. in
Chevalier, Michel and others, Politique industrielle et Système de la méditerranée ,
pp. 67-74, (p. 71).
9 Duveyrier, “Travaux publics. – Fêtes.” p. 73.
95
ponts plus longs que des chaussées, et de fortes machines dont l’âme est de vapeur,
les muscles d’acier, les flancs de fonte, et qui marchent seules.
7
Here, the prospect of Enfantin’s ascension – and thereby, the realization of the Saint-Simonian utopia – inspires the speaker to transform
nature. This might be described as a sort of lyrical country planning
according to which the earth is seen as a body whose udders can be
milked and whose entrails can be explored. The introduction of numerous verbs of movement and multiple nouns into the phrase and the
speaker’s imagined transformation of earth, sea and sky produces
pleasurable new configurations of sensation, reflected in the organic
motifs of “mamelle” and “lait de feu”. However, the poetic gaze never
lingers to internalize what is glimpsed, as is seen in the suddenness of
the “vrai vautour” and the prolonged description of the quasi-organic
machine which ends with the abrupt cadence “et qui marchent seules”.
Elsewhere, Duveyrier’s treatment of even the most minor details of
the Saint-Simonians’ programme of aménagements is related in highly
expressive terms:
Quelles fêtes que celles qui dresseront leurs tentes sur les flancs boisés des
montagnes des Cauteretz et des deux Bagnères pour l’application des bains chauds
aux douleurs du peuple, pour l’ouverture des plantations des Pyrénées, pour
l’introduction de la vigne aux roches du Roussillon et le retournement et le labour
des terres grasses et fraîches des plaines de Tarbes, des mamelons de fougères
dorées au pays des Basques!
8
This ecstatic organicizing presentation of public works and routine agricultural reforms is continued later in the same text when he writes
that: “[…] la terre nourricière tressaille du désir de nourrir et réjouir
les misérables. La terre les appelle à fouiller ses entrailles […]”.
9 In a
discussion from the Livre nouveau Duveyrier complained that contemporary poetry exalted its objects, and that its contemplative tone
placed barriers in front of sensual immediacy:
___________________________
7 Charles Duveyrier, “Au Père”, in Barrault, Émile and others, Le Livre nouveau des
Saint-Simoniens, pp. 210-22 (p. 211 and p. 219).
8 Charles Duveyrier, “Travaux publics. – Fêtes.”, in Le Globe, 16 April 1832; repr. in
Chevalier, Michel and others, Politique industrielle et Système de la méditerranée ,
pp. 67-74, (p. 71).
9 Duveyrier, “Travaux publics. – Fêtes.” p. 73.