Venus of Ille

See also: Venus

Venus of Ille is a news of Prosper Mérimée, written in 1837 when it was 34 years old. At this age, he attends the literary society men mediums and living rooms.

Beginning in this world, it starts by being made known under the name of the Spanish actress, Clara Gazul. It was also tested with the historical kind, especially, in 1829 and 1830. It published in the Review of Paris of short works which will be taken again in 1833 in a composite collection.

In 1834 it is named general inspector of the historic buildings and national antiquities. Consequently, he undertakes a voyage in midday. He remained in Roussillon where he wrote Venus of Ille . He could also have been inspired by an enigmatic statue “Venus de Quinipily” which he saw with Baud (Morbihan).

Venus of Ille is perhaps less known than Colomba or Carmen whose success was amplified by the opera of Bizet in 1875, but it allures by its strangeness and the scientist proportioning whom the author between logic and the irrational one knew to establish. In this work, the “hero”, a Parisian archeologist, goes to Ille. He places in a local antique dealer, Mr. de Peyrehorade, who says to have found a treasure: Venus. All the history turns around this Venus which is personified by all those which know it, until becoming quite alive…

Venus of Ille is a fantastic news which is original compared to the gun of the Fantastique of the XIXème century. There is no Focalization intern, the Narrateur is not the victim of the events, it is rather that which inquires. But it all the more takes part in the dramatic construction which it is guarantee, near the reader, of an unquestionable objectivity (from its profession and its statute).

Summary

The history proceeds in Ille (real Place: Island-on-Small fireclay cup). The narrator, an archeologist, goes there in company of a guide. He comes to meet Mr. of Peyrehorade there (name inspired of a real place), an antique dealer who must show him ancient ruins. This one discovered little time before the arrival of the archeologist, a Venus statue. This anxious statue from its physical appearance and because it already seems to have caused an accident.

The narrator dines at Peyrehorade. Mr. de Peyrehorade evokes the Venus statue and indicates to his host that it is made a pleasure of showing him as of the following day. Once only, it opens its window and sees with far the statue. It also attends a strange scene: two young boys challenge the statue. One of them throws a stone to him. This one rebounds and strikes in return the face of the young imp. This last, frightened, flees. the antique dealer is in a hurry to make admire his Venus with the archeologist. He points out to his visitor the strange inscription being reproduced on the base: " Cellar amantem". The author translates it into these terms: " takes guard with you if it you aime". After the lunch, Alphonse, the son of Mr. de Peyrehorade, converses with the narrator. The evening, there is a dinner at Puygarrig, the parents of future married. Of return to Ille, to Peyrehorade, the discussion relates to the marriage which must take place the following day. The narrator points out that it is rather rare that a marriage takes place one Friday.

Alphonse, the future groom attends part of play of palm opposing the local team to a team of Spanish. Wanting to assist as of his, Alphonse throws itself in the part. But its diamond ring obstructs it. It withdraws it, and not to lose it, it passes it to the finger of the statue. The part turns to the advantage of the local team. Upset, the captain of the Spanish team ruminates his defeat and marmonne, for Alphonse Me lo, you will pagaras will pay it to me.

Alphonse goes up in the barouche to go to its been engaged. He realizes that he forgot the ring. Once to the living room, Alphonse entrusts to the narrator his sudden anguish: he does not manage to withdraw the ring of the finger of the statue.

Once in his room, the narrator hears several noises: first of all light steps which it allots to the bride. Then it seems to him to hear steps much heavier in the staircase. He thinks this time of having recognized the steps of the young groom. In the small hour, he hears these heavy steps again then they are cries and complaints. The narrator rises and runs to the news. The young groom to lie on the bridal bed. It has the covered body of contusions. His wife is in prey with a crisis of hysteria. The narrator examines the body of the groom. He detects no trace of blood there. Its suspicions go on the captain of the Spanish team of play of palm, but it does not have any proof.

By continuing his investigations, the narrator discovers on the carpet the diamond ring which normally should have been with the finger of the statue. He also notes that he no trace of effraction in the Dehors house the only prints which one can raise are there those which lead to the statue. He reveals the deposition to him which it made: she intended somebody to penetrate in the room. She thought that it was her husband. This person lay down in the bed and it felt the presence of a frozen body. Later a second nobody entered the room, which this time told him these some words: " Good evening my small femme". The young groom then saw the statue which was in its bed to enclose her husband until choking it. The young woman then disappeared. She saw the statue leaving the room.

The prosecutor convenes then the captain of the Spanish team. This last challenges the charge and provides to the prosecutor an undeniable alibi.

After the burial, the narrator leaves Ille and returns to Paris. He learns a few months after M of Peyrehorade died him also and that Mrs. de Peyrehorade decided to dissolve the statue to make a bell of it. But since the bell sounds, the vines have cold twice.

External bonds

Prosper Mérimée, the '' Venus d' Ille '', (News, 1837).
Venus of Ille , (http://www.ac-orleans-tours.fr/lettres/coin_eleve/venus/)

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