Divagations

work by Mallarmé

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "Divagations" refers to wanderings or digressions, often used in a literary context. In the work of French poet St\u00e9phane Mallarm\u00e9, Divagations (published in 1897) is a collection of prose poems and essays that explores his theories on language and poetry. Mallarm\u00e9, a key figure in the Symbolist movement, sought to use language in new ways to evoke ideal meanings rather than simply describe reality. His work, including Divagations, is characterized by its intellectual depth and innovative use of language, pushing the boundaries of poetic expression. The term "divagations" itself means a departure from the subject or a turning away from a standard course.12345

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Symbolism
Symbolist literature
…of the Symbolists, and his Divagations (1897) remains the most valuable statement of the movement’s aesthetics. In their efforts to escape rigid metrical patterns and to achieve freer poetic rhythms, many Symbolist poets resorted to the composition of prose poems and the use of vers libre (free verse), which has…
Read More
…of the Symbolists, and his Divagations (1897) remains the most valuable statement of the movement’s aesthetics. In their efforts to escape rigid metrical patterns and to achieve freer poetic rhythms, many Symbolist poets resorted to the composition of prose poems and the use of vers libre (free verse), which has…
Read More