Literary Slumming: Slang and Class in Nineteenth-Century France

“Literary Slumming: Slang and Class in Nineteenth-Century France” offers a captivating exploration of the intersection between language, social class, and cultural identity during a transformative period in French history. This scholarly work delves into the phenomenon of “slang” as it was portrayed and interpreted in French literature of the 19th century, shedding light on its significance as a tool of social critique and literary innovation.

Key aspects of the book include:

1. Socio-Linguistic Analysis: The book provides a nuanced socio-linguistic analysis of slang usage in 19th-century French literature, examining how authors from various social backgrounds depicted and utilized slang to delineate class distinctions and social hierarchies.
2. Cultural Context: It explores the broader cultural and historical context in which slang emerged as a form of linguistic resistance, social commentary, and cultural expression among marginalized communities in urban centers like Paris.
3. Literary Critique: The book offers insightful literary critiques of works by prominent French writers such as Victor Hugo, Honoré de Balzac, and Émile Zola, among others, examining how they incorporated slang into their narratives to depict the realities of urban poverty, social mobility, and class struggle.