What was Monsieur Croche’s role in Claude Debussy’s writings about music?

In the latter part of his life, the French composer Claude Debussy created an alter ego named Monsieur Croche to serve as a vehicle for his thoughts on music and art.1

Monsieur Croche functioned as a persona with whom Debussy engaged in imaginary conversations, allowing the composer to explore critical perspectives and challenge traditional musical conventions. Through this character, Debussy questioned the utility of established art forms, famously posing the provocative inquiry: "What is the use of your almost incomprehensible art?" Furthermore, Monsieur Croche acted as a mouthpiece for Debussy’s own artistic philosophy, championing the spirit of the musical explorer by prioritizing future creative needs over past possessions.1