De Alfred Morel-Fatio a Pierre Vilar

Abstract

This article reviews the course of French historiography on Cervantes, from Alfred Morel-Fatio to Pierre Vilar. Morel-Fatio was a pioneer in sociological treatment of Cervantes’ work, and at the same time his research ties in very closely with the controversy that the First World War aroused in French-Spanish relations. Vilar, with his classic article on the time of Don Quixote, was another pioneer, in this case in analysis of Don Quixote as representing that part of Spain which was critical of and disillusioned with imperial adventures and misadventures. His comparison of Cervantes with Chaplin in connection with the crash of 1929 is absolutely brilliant.

Keywords

• 20th century
• Cervantes
• Don Quixote
• France
• Hispanism
• Historiography