The Dreyfus Affair 1898

Proust Goes to Hear Jaurès Speak (!!!!)


Source: Philip Kolb, Editor, Correspondance de Marcel Proust, Vol II. Paris, Plon, 1976;
Translated: for marxists.org by Mitchell Abidor.

Perhaps no single fact demonstrates how topsy-turvy France was during the Dreyfus Affair than the fact that the arch-aesthete Marcel Proust, friend of nobles, frequenter of the highest society, admirer of the royalist Jew-hater Charles Maurras, went to see the socialist Jean Jaurès give a speech in defense of the Dreyfusard cause – which Proust loudly espoused – in September 1898.


Friday, September 30, 1898
To Constantin de Brancovan
Dear Prince:

I would like to ask you if you are still going to Jaurès’ talk and if you could please pick me up and take me there.

I will perhaps telephone you.

With warmest friendship

Marcel Proust.