Études Anglaises,
vol. XLVIII, 2 (avril-juin 1995), p. 148--159.
Anne Foata
``Beati Immaculati'' :
A propos de l'épigraphe de
The Good Soldier de Ford Madox Ford
Abstract.
Beati Immaculati reads the epigraph Ford added to his novel
The Good Soldier. As any epigraph, it suggests the theme of
the novel or at least the light in which it may or should be
read. Few critics have taken it into account; they'd rather
discuss the narrator's reliability, his discernment, even his
candor and honesty. The article follows the narrator's
speculations about the first verse of Psalm 118 (119): who are those
Immaculati, those ``undefiled in the way / who walk in the
Law of the Lord?'' What does it mean to be ``blessed''? The
essay opens up a certain perspective on both the characters of
the narrator and the ``good soldier,'' which runs somewhat
counter the ongoing opinion. It does not claim to end the
debate, though; it means to remain as open-ended as the novel
itself.
anne2.foata@wanadoo.fr
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