The image of the City in fin-de-siècle Belgian literature: identity and specificities of a francophone literature

Abstract

The literature of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe was characterised by a proliferation of symbolism in both poetry and prose. At the same time, a new country, born of political decisions that took no account of its linguistic communities, was asserting its independence. In this country, Belgium, the writers of the time had to make a difficult choice: either write in their own mother tongue and give up the chance of being understood by most of Europe, or adopt French in order to enter the literary world, which would allow them fame and integration. This is the same choice that writers in the countries colonised by France had to make, and the result was the creation of a whole body of French-language literature that is now recognised. However, Belgian writers such as Maeterlinck, Verhaeren and Eekhoud, most of whom were Dutch-speaking
from a country that had nothing to do with colonial and post-colonial phenomena, chose to write in French. Their choice reflects certain ways in which the French language is spread throughout the world, which are not linked to any pattern of political or ideological domination. As a result, these authors have often been equated with French writers. Was this a deliberate choice, the price of fame, or an uncontrollable destiny? Can we speak of a specificity of Belgian literature?
This study highlights the specificity of Belgian literary works by analysing the image of the city that pervades these texts.