From the book
The Gods Are Athirst
Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Lemma.
Jouer can mean playing a game, performing a role or making someone an object of theatrical mockery. Brotteaux denies jouer la Convention: his stock comic figures, he argues, are not satirical representations of the assembly. In prison jouer au Tribunal means making a game or performance of the court itself. The first accusation imposes political satire on inherited forms; the later game deliberately imitates the frightening institution.
Places to read
- Chapter XII, paragraph 7Frenchje jouais la Convention nationale: I was making fun of the National Convention. Brotteaux rejects the official interpretation of his toys.
- Chapter XIX, paragraph 17Frenchils jouaient au Tribunal révolutionnaire: they played at the Revolutionary Tribunal. Prisoners assign roles and stage trials before bed.