Les idées de Céline

Ch. 6 (pp. 117-159), "Engagement", examines Celine's writings during the 1930s (especially "Bagatelles pour un massacre" and "L'École des cadavres"), as well as his private correspondence. Asserts that racism was, for Céline, an obsessive concern and preoccupation. Antisemitism was an element of his biological racism. Pp. 262-286 refer mainly to Céline's relationship during the late 1940s with Milton Hindus, an American Jewish professor. In letters to his admirer, Céline noted that antisemitism "makes no sense anymore". In ch. 10 (pp. 309-358), remarks that racism and antisemitism were common, accepted ideas in French prewar society. Emphasizes the direct link between Céline's racist ideas and his literary work.