decorated with accessories. The objects in the room give information about the financial condition of the society.
It was clean and whitewashed, and furnished with strict necessaries, a crucifix, a bust of the late Pope, the imitation in French, a book of
religious meditations…p.47.
This characteristic of setting in the novel is a representation of the eighteenth century French clergy who were rich and prosperous in life.
3. Representation of French Society’s View toward Religion in the Eighteenth Century
During the eighteenth century, France was ruled by the method of Louis XIV. Religious fanaticism was the background at that time. In political condition,
the ideological struggles were endemic and bitter. As stated by Williams that “France was ruled by the method of Louis XIV for the rest of the eighteenth
century. When Louis XIV took command, ideological struggles were endemic and bitter. They mainly concerned religion 1972: 170, 205.” The Huguenots were
forbidden to establish new colleges and forced to attend the Mass. Will and Durant stated that “all Huguenots conventicles were to be destroyed or
transformed forbidden. Some 400,000 converts were forced to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist 1963: 73”. King’s religion was citizen’s religion. French
society was obliged to profess Catholic. As stated by Brunn that “Louis XIV believed that to be one hundred per cent French and one hundred per cent royalist,
a subject must share the religion of his King 1942: 654”. The novel Travel with 46
a Donkey in the Cevennes also mentions religious fanaticism. It is described in the
general environment of the characters in the novel. But I was now among a different sect of orthodox. These two men were
bitter and upright and narrow, like the worst of Scotsmen, and indeed, upon my heart, I fancy they were worse. The priest snorted aloud like a
battle-horse p.57.
The quotation shows the religious fanaticism of the parish priest and the soldier. The two of them are from orthodox religion that has narrow view. In addition, the
similar idea is presented by the parish priest’s view in his statement. But he could not away with such a monstrous attitude. No, no, he cried;
‘you must change. You have come here, God has led you here, and you must embrace the opportunity p.57.
The novel describes religious fanaticism from the view of the parish priest. He thinks everyone who arrives in the monastery area must profess Catholic. He
thinks it is the opportunity to convert into Catholic. The novel describes the religious fanaticism by the view of the Prior in the monastery, too.
‘Hear that’ he cried. ‘And I have seen a marquis here, a marquis, a marquis’- he repeated the holy word three times over-‘ and other person
high in society; and generals. And here at your side, is this gentleman who has been so many years in armies decorated, an old warrior. And here he
is, ready to dedicate himself to God p. 59, 60.
The Prior’s act to defend the priest and the soldier shows his view about religious fanaticism. He agrees that everyone who arrives at the monastery area get a
chance to profess Catholic. In addition, this parish priest’s statement shows the same thing about religious fanaticism.“ ‘Your father and mother?’ cried the priest.
‘Very well; you will convert them in their turn when you go home p. 57”. The religious fanaticism in the eighteenth century is also represented from the view of
villagers in Cassagnas. “ ‘It’s a bad idea for a man to change,’ said he; and the 47
remark was generally applauded p. 105”. Similar with the villagers in Cassagnas, the villagers in St. German de Calberte show their view. “I dined with
a pair of Catholics. They agreed in the condemnation of a young man, a Catholic, who had married a Protestant girl and gone over to the religion of his wife p.
114”. The religious view in French society in the eighteenth century showed
religious fanaticism. After the death of Louis XIV, Catholic still became the religion in France. However, philosophers began to criticize the intolerance. As
stated by Mckay, Hill and Buckler that “The philosophers hated all forms of religious intolerance. Simple piety and human kindness-the love of God and the
golden rule-were religion enough 1984: 805”. Religious tolerance started to grow. “Science and the industrial arts were exalted, religion and immorality
questioned. Intolerance, legal injustice, and out-of-date social institutions were criticized 1984: 805.” The religious tolerance was started from the original idea
of the Enlightenment that natural science should be used to examine and understand all aspect of life. “Nothing was to be accepted on faith. Everywhere
was to be submitted to the rational, critical, scientific way of thinking 1984: 799”. The novel of Travel with a Donkey in the Cevennes also mentions religious
tolerance. And these were all Protestant-a fact which pleased me more than I should
have expected; and, what pleased me still more, they seemed all upright and simple people p.93.
The quotation shows that the villagers from La Vernede are different from the people in the monastery area and other villages. The villagers of La Vernede are
48 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
described as having religious tolerance. The novel represents religious tolerance through the view of villagers of Florac. “Most of these kind advisers were
Protestant, though I observed that Protestant and Catholic intermingled in a very easy manner […] p.96”. The statement in the sentence shows the religious
tolerance between Protestant and Catholic. The presence of religious tolerance is also presented through the view of Plymouth Brother.
Connaissez vous le Seigneur ? he said at length. I asked him what Seigneur
he meant; but he only repeated the question with more emphasis and a look in his eyes denoting hope and interest. ‘Ah,’ said I, pointing upwards,
‘I understand you now. Yes, I know Him; He is the best of acquaintances’ p. 91.
The description of the quotation, which shows the Plymouth Brother’s way to ask about God, reflects his faith and religious tolerance. The religious tolerance in the
novel represents French society in the eighteenth century.
C. The Representation of French Society to Reveal the Freedom of Religion
