Un homme obscur: A “different” novel in the work of Marguerite Yourcenar?

Abstract

In her novel Un homme obscur, Marguerite Yourcenar appears to renounce the values of classical culture and the written word, which she had previously revered; indeed, the main character, Nathanaël, seems to live perfectly well without books, and yet his judgment remains remarkably sound and insightful. But can we truly speak of a renunciation on the part of the novelist? A close reading and study of Un homme obscur reveals numerous references to the great novels of French literature, and this work by Marguerite Yourcenar - original and unexpected though it may be - is not fundamentally different from her earlier writings.