L'Ingénu
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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L'Ingénu is a satirical novella by the French writer Voltaire, published in 1767. L'Ingénu is a mix of genres, it shares characteristics with the conte philosophique, the apologue and the novel. It tells the story of a Huron Indian transported to the sophistication of eighteenth century Paris, and satirizes religious doctrine, as well as the folly and injustices of French society.
A Satire
The book was written in 1767 but the story takes place in 1690. Voltaire criticizes events that occurred nearly a century before, but he is criticizing events that had an impact on the way things were in his time. This was supposed to help avoid censure but the police obviously understood that the book was not just criticizing past events because the book was made illegal in France shortly after its release. Because of the prompt move by the police to censure the book L'Ingénu, the latter must have seriously criticized France and monarchy.
Religious Satire
All throughout L'Ingénu Voltaire advocates deism not atheism, Voltaire believes in a God and a religion without churches, or policies, where only moral behavior counts. He criticizes sects, intolerance, fanaticism, superstitions, and the catholic clergy.
Social and Political Satire
Voltaire, makes fun of French society using his famous irony. The main targets are : the French administration (chapter VIII is an excellent example), the justice system, the lack of freedom in France and the corruption.
