Jacques the Fatalist and His Master

novel by Diderot

Also known as: “Jacques le fataliste et son maître”

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Jacques the Fatalist and His Master is a novel by Denis Diderot, written in the 1770s but published posthumously in 1796. The story follows Jacques, a servant who believes in fate, and his master, who does not. As they travel, they engage in philosophical discussions and recount stories from their lives, exploring themes of free will versus determinism. Diderot uses dialogue and digressions to question societal norms and the complexities of human nature. The novel is known for its philosophical ambiguity and witty style, reflecting Diderot's broader Enlightenment ideals.12

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Denis Diderot
Novels, dialogues, and plays of Denis Diderot
…1796; The Nun); the novel Jacques le fataliste et son maître (written 1773, published 1796; Jacques the Fatalist); Le Neveu de Rameau (written between 1761 and 1774, published in German 1805; Rameau’s Nephew), a character sketch in dialogue form; and Supplément au voyage de Bougainville (written 1772, published 1796; “Supplement…
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…1796; The Nun); the novel Jacques le fataliste et son maître (written 1773, published 1796; Jacques the Fatalist); Le Neveu de Rameau (written between 1761 and 1774, published in German 1805; Rameau’s Nephew), a character sketch in dialogue form; and Supplément au voyage de Bougainville (written 1772, published 1796; “Supplement…
Read More

French literature
The Enlightenment
…fataliste et son maître [1796; Jacques the Fatalist and His Master]). Diderot seized on the Spinozist vision of a world materialistic and godless yet pulsating with energy and the unexpected. Jacques the Fatalist captures the fluidity of a disconcerting universe where nothing is ever clear-cut or under control, where history,…
Read More
…fataliste et son maître [1796; Jacques the Fatalist and His Master]). Diderot seized on the Spinozist vision of a world materialistic and godless yet pulsating with energy and the unexpected. Jacques the Fatalist captures the fluidity of a disconcerting universe where nothing is ever clear-cut or under control, where history,…
Read More