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André Gide

When exploring the palace of French literature, it is difficult not to mention André Gide. This most influential literary master of the 20th century won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947. His works are known for their profound insights into human nature and challenges to issues such as morality, religion, and freedom. Gide's writing is like a ray of light that leads to the depths of human inner contradictions, guiding readers to look directly into the dark corners of the soul while embracing freedom of thought.

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My first exposure to Gide’s work was his short story “La Symphonie Pastorale.” At first I was just looking for a short read for entertainment, but I didn't expect to be moved by its exploration of faith and morality. Gide used delicate brushstrokes to tear apart the surface of religion and deeply explore the interweaving of divinity and humanity, making people unable to help but reflect on their own values ​​​​and the foundation of their beliefs. These profound thoughts are not empty talk, but come from Gide's personal growth experience, giving his works both philosophical and emotional depth.

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As I read deeper, I came across two of his important novels: L'Immoraliste and La Porte Étroite. These two works are completely different in style, but they both capture the eternal struggle between human desire and rationality. "The Immoral" focuses on indulgence and conflict, challenging the moral boundaries of society, while "The Narrow Gate" focuses on the entanglement between religious beliefs and moral persistence. Gide used these two works to analyze the paradox deep in the soul: should we follow the call of desire or restrain our own impulses? Such questions are not only the core of the novel, but also the epitome of human existence.

Gide bravely touched upon social taboos, and his discussion of homosexuality in The Immoral came from his true writing about his own identity. At a time when homosexuality was considered illegal, his creation was undoubtedly a bold cultural dialogue and a revolution in liberating thought.

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If Gide's novels reflect human nature like a mirror, his essays are like rivers, leading readers across the boundaries of nature and thought. Les Nourritures Terrestres is such a work. This book records what he saw and felt during his travels, praising the magnificence of nature and contrasting it with his inner struggles. While traveling, Gide was both a traveler enjoying the scenery and a philosopher pondering the meaning of life. His awe of nature and reflection on life in the book coincide with my feelings during the journey: in the beautiful scenery, we perceive not only the vastness of the world, but also our own insignificance and inner contradictions.

André Gide's works are an exploration of the depths of human nature. His brushstrokes are delicate and sincere, seeing through the darkness while embracing the light. His writings remind us that contradiction and struggle are the essence of human existence. For me, Gide is not only a treasure of French literature, but also a guide for me to think about myself and the world.

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