Aspects of Imagery in Colette: Color and Light

Abstract

Colette died in 1954; since that time there has been little worthwhile critical note taken of her writing. This, despite the fact that she is allowed, although often grudgingly, a place of importance in contemporary French letters, with frequent reference made to a pervasive lucidity in her work. No one, however, has gone on to further define this elusive quality. The prevailing clichés continue, in the form of vague statements about natural style, classical tone, instinctive comprehension, and primitivistic orientation to the world. Colette has often been called the descriptivist of nature par excellence, but she has been accused equally often of shallowness, superficiality, and a lack of concern for larger human problems.