Le Calvaire

"Le Calvaire" portrays a narrative heavily drawn from Mirbeau's own life, as he idealizes his tumultuous relationship with Judith Vinmer, depicted as "Juliette Roux" in the novel. The story unfolds through the eyes of Jean Mintie, an antihero consumed by literary aspirations but ensnared by his insatiable sexual desires. Despite his creative potential, Mintie finds himself powerless against the manipulations of a woman, leading to his emotional downfall. Struggling to transcend his anguish, Mintie seeks solace in artistic expression, drawing parallels between his suffering and the Passion of Christ. Ultimately, the novel's conclusion juxtaposes the redemptive symbolism of Christ with the grim reality of love's casualties, portraying a haunting image of men fallen in the battlefield of romance.