The long nineteenth century according to an anarchist

In able to understand Félix Fénéon's "Novels in Three Lines", one must be familiar with the events in France in 1906. This was an outcome of happenings during the last few centuries. The long 19th century would refer to three important periods that shaped the short 20th century, namely the Age of Revolution, the Age of Capital, and the Age of Empire.

Consider the following lines:

“Again and again Mme. Coudere, of Saint-Ouen, was prevented from hanging herself from her window bolt. Exasperated, she fled across the fields.”

“There was a gas explosion at the home of Larrieux, in Bordeaux. He was injured. His mother-in-law's hair caught on fire. The ceiling caved in.”

“Responding to a call at night, M. Sirvent, cafe owner of Caissargues, Gard, opened his window; a rifle shot destroyed his face.”

The above incidents were not uncommon in France. Fénéon penned these lines, shocking and amusing at the same time. Friends of the author would attest that Fénéon's face hardly registered emotion. In fact, Paul Signac, a Neo-Impressiomist painter, produced a portrait of Fénéon that he didn't like at all. But he ended up hanging it. Signac saw what others failed to notice of Fénéon, an anarchist who represented the disenchanted populace in Paris.

The history of France during the 19th century

The effects of the French Revolution reverberated throughout Europe, but those who witnessed the fall of the French monarchy were disillusioned. The political vacuum led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. He influenced the course of events in Europe after he was long gone, but it was a different case in France. It marked the return of the ruling class.

The anarchists grew in numbers, as they challenged the establishment that let them down. It was understandable that Fénéon chose to be in the background. He was most effective in this matter. If not for Camille Pateel, Fénéon's mistress, the literary world wouldn't know his three liners. There were fillers stories, but aficionados saw the early works of literary modernism.

It was the best of times, the worst of times

The French were licking their wounds after their defeat in the French-Prussian War. It had a profound effect overseas, where France and Germany were major players in the Scramble for Africa. This was one of the causes of World War I.

The later part of the 19th century saw the rise of capitalism. It led to a great divide between the rich and the poor. The likes of Fénéon witnessed how it benefited a few, while the majority struggled to survive on a daily basis. This was where he learned his acerbic wit, but his friends insisted he wasn't after fame and fortune. Perhaps he was envious of his more prolific peers. Fénéon grew weary of it all, as he stopped writing at 63. He enjoyed his retirement years, which was a happy ending in his case. Ironic, isn't it?