{"product_id":"taste-and-ideology-in-seventeenth-century-france-scholarly","title":"Taste and Ideology in Seventeenth-Century France - Scholarly","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Taste and Ideology in Seventeenth-Century France, the reviewer argues it is essential reading for scholars and advanced students interested in how cultural language shaped early modern French society. Michael Moriarty's study explores the shifting uses of the concept of \u003cstrong\u003etaste\u003c\/strong\u003e across five major seventeenth-century writers, and its single biggest value is the combination of close textual readings with a clear political and social analysis that links aesthetic language to questions of class and gender.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocused textual analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Close readings of primary texts by Mere, Saint Evremond, La Rochefoucauld, La Bruyere and Boileau illuminate how each author used the concept of taste in context.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolitical and social framework:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book situates discussions of taste within class and gender relations, helping readers see aesthetic language as socially produced.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e By examining five writers together, the study reveals contrasts and continuities in how taste functioned across different social groups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCulture-specific argument:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moriarty demonstrates that taste is not universal but shifts according to the needs of a writer and his social circle, clarifying historical specificity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The analysis speaks to literary studies, cultural history, and intellectual history, making it useful across fields.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is best suited to graduate students, researchers and lecturers in early modern French literature and cultural history who need a rigorous, text-driven account of how the vocabulary of taste operated in seventeenth-century France. It will also interest scholars of social theory who want a historical case study of how aesthetic terms map onto class and gender.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a general introduction to French literature or a light survey of taste across periods should look elsewhere, as Moriarty assumes familiarity with the primary authors and priorities of close reading rather than providing broad overviews.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides careful, line-by-line readings that reveal subtle uses of the term \u003cstrong\u003etaste\u003c\/strong\u003e in each author.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEffectively links literary analysis to a wider account of class and gender in seventeenth-century France.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComparative structure clarifies differences among writers often grouped together in other studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe close, scholarly focus means it is less accessible to general readers or those new to the period.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTaste and Ideology in Seventeenth-Century France\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCambridge Studies in French, Series Number 25\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMichael Moriarty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain subjects\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeventeenth-century French literature; taste; class and gender\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary authors discussed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMere; Saint Evremond; La Rochefoucauld; La Bruyere; Boileau\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClose readings plus political and social analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoriarty's study is a focused, rigorous contribution that will repay close study by anyone researching early modern French cultural language. It provides valuable evidence that the idea of \u003cstrong\u003etaste\u003c\/strong\u003e was historically contingent and socially charged, making it good value for scholars seeking depth rather than a broad survey.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus on a single author?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It examines five major seventeenth-century writers to show contrasts in how the concept of \u003cstrong\u003etaste\u003c\/strong\u003e functioned.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it suitable for undergraduate readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUndergraduates with introductory background in French literature may find it challenging; it is aimed primarily at graduate-level and specialist readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book consider social factors?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. A central aim is to link discussions of taste to class and gender in seventeenth-century French society.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael Moriarty","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48224915652827,"sku":"0521113369","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51hMePTRXAL._SL1000.jpg?v=1770321428","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/taste-and-ideology-in-seventeenth-century-france-scholarly","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}