René (novella)

René is a short autobiographical novella written by François-René de Chateaubriand, first published in 1802 as part of Génie du christianisme (The Genius of Christianity). It is frequently published separately as a standalone work.

The novella tells the story of René, a young, melancholy European living amongst the Natchez Native Americans in Louisiana. He is married to Céluta, sister of the Native American chief Chactas. Haunted by a profound sense of ennui and inner turmoil, René recounts his past to Chactas and Father Souël.

The narrative details René's childhood, his strained relationship with his sister Amélie, and his increasing disillusionment with society and life in general. He seeks solace in nature but finds no lasting comfort. His journey is marked by restlessness, despair, and a yearning for something he cannot define or attain.

René is considered a significant work in the Romantic movement, exemplifying themes of alienation, the sublime, and the power of individual emotion. It explores the Byronic hero archetype, influencing later literary figures and contributing to the development of Romantic sensibility. The novella's introspective nature and focus on subjective experience marked a departure from earlier literary conventions, paving the way for more personal and emotionally driven narratives.