Secondary sourceBook1911
The Symbolism of Voltaire's Novels, with Special Reference to Zadig
William Raleigh Price · 1911
A 1911 scholarly study by William Raleigh Price examining the symbolic meaning in Voltaire's fiction, especially his novel Zadig.
A later scholarly study analysing the symbolism in Voltaire's novel Zadig and other fiction.
PDF · 276 pagesAbout this source
What it is
This is a scanned academic book published in 1911 by Columbia University Press. It was written by William Raleigh Price, a scholar of Romance literature, and focuses on the symbolism found in Voltaire's novels, especially Zadig.
Why it matters
Written more than a century after Voltaire's death, this book is an example of how later scholars studied and interpreted his fiction. It shows that Voltaire's novels were seen as rich enough in meaning to deserve detailed academic analysis, and it reflects early 20th-century methods of literary study.
Look closer
- Why might a scholar in 1911 be interested in the symbolism of a story written over a century earlier?
- What does the existence of this study suggest about Voltaire's lasting reputation as a writer?
- How might a modern analysis of Zadig differ from this one?
This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Voltaire on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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