Gustave Flaubert 
Temptation of Saint Anthony 

The Temptation of Saint Anthony is a representative novel of French great writer Flaubert (1821-1880). The first draft was completed in 1849; the second draft was completed in 1856; the third draft was completed in 1872; and the final draft was completed and officially published in 1874. It spans 25 years. During this period, Flaubert completed three full-length novels, Madame Bovary, Salammbo and Sentimental Education. The writing of this book almost runs through the writer’s entire creation career. The novel is based on the legend of Saint Anthony the Great, that is, the story of various temptations faced by Saint Anthony the Great (about 251-356) in the Egyptian desert, a theme often repeated in Western art. In 1845, Flaubert’s sister Caroline went to Italy for a bridal tour. Flaubert went with her and visited the Balbi Palace in Genoa. He was inspired by a painting titled The Temptation of Saint Anthony. He also received much inspiration from Byron’s poetic drama, Cain, and Goethe’s poetic drama, Faust. The novel is divided into seven chapters and describes Anton’s spiritual illusion in a night. The devil, the Queen of Sheba, and Anthony’s student put countless great temptations in front of him: wealth, power, enjoyment, and even more tempting things: gods, rituals, scriptures, oracles… In the name of science, the devil creates obstacles and hides the secrets of the universe. From the sunset to the dawn, the dream continued. Finally, Anthony stepped out of the confusion and marched towards a new life. The novel is written in the form of prose poem (or poetic drama) and reflects the rebellion against religious delusions and the rejection of materialistic society. It is a work to which the writer devoted his "fanaticism".