Prepared entirely in French, this widely used anthology us designed as a basic text for the college survey course in French literature, offering students a rich selection of French poetry, prose, and drama from the Middle Ages to the present day. In most cases, authors are represented by a long selection from a major work rather than by brief extracts from various writings. Biographical sketches of all authors are included, and general introductions depict historical settings and point our significant literary trends. Taken together, these introductory essays provide a brief, lucid history of French literature. Ample footnotes supply literary and historical references, explain the meanings of idiomatic expressions, and, in general, helpp the student to gain a clear understanding of the text.