From the book
The Gods Are Athirst
Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Related words and phrases.
Grâce may be divine grace, a favour, or bodily and social grace. Longuemare’s plural grâces names gifts received from God while he acknowledges Brotteaux’s greater natural merit. The toy-making anecdote in chapter XIV uses grâce for the ordinary favour of pulling a string, and Longuemare himself shows bonne grâce while testing the figures with dance steps. These senses can touch without every occurrence becoming theological.
Places to read
- Chapter XII, paragraph 28Frenchplus de grâces: more graces. Longuemare compares gifts received from God while admitting less natural merit.
- Chapter XIV, paragraph 13FrenchIl avait bonne grâce à les essayer: he had a pleasant grace in trying them. The priest tests his newly animated toys with gavotte steps.
- Chapter XIV, paragraph 15Frenchla grâce d’en tirer un moment la ficelle: the favour of pulling the string for a moment. Magitot asks permission to satisfy the harmless desire.