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The Craze of Connoisseurship (Close Reading of Proust) (Patreon)

Published:
2021-10-01 08:55:10
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Today's video will be informative not only to connoisseurs of Proust, but to those who wish to know more about the society which gave birth to Victor Hugo and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

We're discussing the estates system of the Ancient Régime (clergy, nobility, commoners), the layers of the bourgeoisie in Proust's lifetime, gentlemen's clubs, the phenomenon of the cabinet of curiosities, the psychology of collecting and connoisseurship, and much more.

We also have a few thought experiments along the way, two of which are detailed below. I personally find the discussions on the psychology of collecting and the class system of France to be most beneficial to our readings.

Video Timestamps:

  • 0:00 Rousseau on society
  • 1:00 the pyramid of society (Hugo vs Proust)
  • 3:00 the class system in France
  • 7:30 art as social force 
  • 9:00 my experience with class in England
  • 11:30 the gentlemen's club (the Jockey Club)
  • 14:00 deep-reading begins
  • 18:00 Proust on character and social personalities
  • 23:00 a thinking assignment for you
  • 24:00 the psychology of collection (and jealous)
  • 26:00 why do we collect things?
  • 28:00 Freud, Rabbi Tarfon, Jung
  • 30:00 the cabinet of curiosities 
  • 31:30 Montaigne's library 
  • 35:00 another thought experiment for you

Proust Project Assignments

1) Go back through the portrait gallery of your life. Can you think of individuals who seem different at different ages? Is this because they have changed, or because you have changed?

2) What would be in your cabinet of curiosities? Pretend there are no limits, and fantasise about what you would furnish your room with. Rare books, sculptures, paintings, treasures from exotic lands - all are open to you.

Happy Prousting!

Files

Previews only

The Craze of Connoisseurship - Proust's In Search of Lost Time (Pages 14-17)

0:00 Rousseau on society 1:00 the pyramid of society (Hugo vs Proust) 3:00 the class system in France 7:30 art as social force 9:00 my experience with class in England 11:30 the gentlemen's club (the Jockey Club) 14:00 deep-reading begins 18:00 Proust on character and social personalities 23:00 a thinking assignment for you 24:00 the psychology of collection (and jealous) 26:00 why do we collect things? 28:00 Freud, Rabbi Tarfon, Jung 30:00 the cabinet of curiosities 31:30 Montaigne's library 35:00 another thought experiment for you

Comments

Laura Smith
>>87971565

I didn’t know that abut the desktop version - that’s handy! I always search “Contents Page” and then find what I want from there.

Kandy Westmoreland

Hi Ben. I am just now, July 2022, starting the Proust Project. I have searched the posts cot the beginning of Swanns Way. This post is the earliest I can retrieve and it starts with page 14. I’ve watched the how to read Proust. Am I doing something wrong. Thank you so much for all you put into the HCLBC. I am loving every book I have read with you. Currently reading Clarissa, Middlemarch with the club. I’m so thrilled about Proust and what the read will do for me emotionally. I’m turning 70 in a few months but only this year have focused on the Classics. Look forward to hearing from you. Sending you my best. Kandy

Ashleigh

Hi Kandy, I’m not sure if this is helpful but the desktop version of Patreon gives me loads more options than the app on my phone so you might find it works better for filtering the back catalogue. I am also reading Middlemarch and really enjoying it! Best of luck with Proust, this is one that I am taking very slowly because it's jam packed!