From the book
The Gods Are Athirst
Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Lemma.
Publicain is a tax-gatherer or tax contractor, not a public-house keeper. Brotteaux’s self-description prompts Longuemare’s reference to Saint Matthew, giving the old occupation a biblical association as well as a self-mocking tone. The designation returns when the atheist shelters the priest and later finances his improved prison quarters. The archaic English publican can preserve the scriptural echo but needs its fiscal sense made explicit; it does not appoint Brotteaux to a revolutionary public office.
Places to read
- Chapter VI, paragraph 40Frenchfus jadis publicain: Was once a publican. Brotteaux introduces his former occupation.
- Chapter VI, paragraph 41Frenchune bonne parole d’un publicain: A good word from a publican. Longuemare draws on the example of Saint Matthew.
- Chapter XII, paragraph 11Frenchle publicain: the tax-gatherer. Brotteaux identifies himself through the earlier bread-queue encounter.
- Chapter XIX, paragraph 9Frenchle vieux publicain: the old tax collector. The narrator uses the name while Brotteaux undertakes to finance the priest’s prison lodging.