JA

Jean Anouilh

113quotes

Jean Anouilh: A French Playwright's Life and Legacy


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Full Name and Common Aliases


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Jean Samuel Arthur Nicolas Anouilh was a French playwright born on June 23, 1910. He is often simply referred to as Jean Anouilh.

Birth and Death Dates


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Anouilh was born in Bordeaux, France, on June 23, 1910. He passed away in Paris on October 3, 1987, at the age of 77.

Nationality and Profession(s)


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Anouilh was a French playwright and writer, best known for his numerous plays that explored themes of love, morality, and the human condition.

Early Life and Background


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Born into an upper-middle-class family in Bordeaux, Anouilh spent much of his early life traveling throughout Europe with his parents. His father, Georges Anouilh, was a lawyer, while his mother, Jeanne Le Prieur, came from a family of artists. This blend of cultures and artistic influences had a profound impact on Anouilh's writing style and worldview.

Anouilh showed an early aptitude for writing, publishing his first book at the age of 17. He went on to study law at the University of Paris but eventually abandoned this path in favor of a career in literature.

Major Accomplishments


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Anouilh's breakthrough play, _Blanche ou la Verte_, premiered in 1945 and was met with critical acclaim. This success marked the beginning of a long and distinguished career that spanned over four decades.

Some of Anouilh's most notable plays include:

_Antigone_ (1944) - A modern retelling of Sophocles' classic tragedy
 _Eurydice_ (1943) - A poignant exploration of love, loss, and memory
* _Ring Around the Moon_ (1950) - A comedic take on Shakespeare's _A Midsummer Night's Dream_

Notable Works or Actions


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In addition to his numerous plays, Anouilh also wrote several novels, including _L'Invitation au Château_ and _La Fière Créature_. He was also known for his work as a screenwriter and film director.

Anouilh's writing often explored themes of love, morality, and the human condition. His plays frequently featured complex, multidimensional characters that continue to captivate audiences today.

Impact and Legacy


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Jean Anouilh's impact on French literature is immeasurable. His unique blend of wit, intelligence, and emotional depth has influenced generations of writers and playwrights.

Anouilh's work continues to be widely performed and studied around the world. His plays have been translated into numerous languages, introducing his unique voice and perspective to a global audience.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


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Jean Anouilh is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful explorations of the human condition. His writing continues to resonate with audiences today, offering a nuanced understanding of love, morality, and the complexities of human experience.

Anouilh's legacy extends far beyond his own work, inspiring countless writers, playwrights, and artists to explore the depths of the human heart.

In conclusion, Jean Anouilh's life and legacy serve as a testament to the power of art to capture the essence of human experience. His writing continues to captivate audiences today, offering a timeless perspective on love, morality, and the complexities of the human condition.

Quotes by Jean Anouilh

It is a restful, tragedy because one knows that there is no more lousy hope left. You know you're caught, caught at last like a rat with all the world on its back. And the only thing left to do is shout.
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It is a restful, tragedy because one knows that there is no more lousy hope left. You know you're caught, caught at last like a rat with all the world on its back. And the only thing left to do is shout.
JA
I like reality. It tastes of bread.
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I like reality. It tastes of bread.
JA
There will always be a lost dog somewhere that will prevent me from being happy.
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There will always be a lost dog somewhere that will prevent me from being happy.
JA
The only immorality is not to do when one hast to do it.
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The only immorality is not to do when one hast to do it.
JA
Nobody has a more sacred obligation to obey the law than those who make the law.
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Nobody has a more sacred obligation to obey the law than those who make the law.
JA
Until the day of his death, no man can be sure of his courage.
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Until the day of his death, no man can be sure of his courage.
JA
Life’s not what you think. It’s like water – the young let it slip through their fingers without thinking. Shut your hands, Antigone, shut them tight and hold it back. You’ll see – it’ll turn into something small and hard that you can sit and munch in the sun.
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Life’s not what you think. It’s like water – the young let it slip through their fingers without thinking. Shut your hands, Antigone, shut them tight and hold it back. You’ll see – it’ll turn into something small and hard that you can sit and munch in the sun.
JA
What will my happiness be like? What kind of happy woman will Antigone grow into? What base things will she have to do, day after day, in order to snatch her own little scrap of happiness? Tell me – who will she have to lie to? Smile at? Sell herself to? Who will she have to avert her eyes from, and leave to die?
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What will my happiness be like? What kind of happy woman will Antigone grow into? What base things will she have to do, day after day, in order to snatch her own little scrap of happiness? Tell me – who will she have to lie to? Smile at? Sell herself to? Who will she have to avert her eyes from, and leave to die?
JA
What fun it would be to be poor, as long as one was excessively poor! Anything in excess is most exhilarating.
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What fun it would be to be poor, as long as one was excessively poor! Anything in excess is most exhilarating.
JA
We have found other terms far less vague than the old ones to designate the same complaints. It’s a great advance linguistically.
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We have found other terms far less vague than the old ones to designate the same complaints. It’s a great advance linguistically.
JA
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