French Propaganda

Essay # 58271

History > European - 18th Century

French Propaganda

A discussion of French propaganda in relation to the French Revolution.

2,082 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2005 Australia

Paper Summary:

A discussion of how the French Revolution is depicted in a selection of representations. It examines how the differences can be explained and and looks at the reason for their publication.

From the Paper:

"The excerpt from the writing of Victor Hugo presents the revolution in perhaps the most positive light possible. He celebrates the revolution as the bringer of "Justice...Tolerance...Goodness... Right... Truth...Love." He claims that the revolution permanently changed the lives of all citizens of the good. Although he may have valid points about many of the outcomes of the revolution, the major weakness of his writing is the absence of any acknowledgement of the costs and defeats of the revolution. This weakness is one of the strengths of the second pro-revolution source, The Triumph of Liberty. This painting by Jacques Reattu admits the costs that must come with such significant change, war. The figure of war that accompanies lady liberty in the painting suggests that Reattu is aware of the violence that typically attends revolution. The artist attempts to justify the violence by reminding his audience of the true aims of the revolution, the pursuit of liberty, the removal of the current corrupt system. Although the authors' methods differ slightly, the intention is the same."