Western Enlightenment Term Paper

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Napoleon Bonaparte

Interpretive Analysis: A Day in the Life of a Great Leader

Baron Claude-Francois De Meneval in his work on Napoleon remembers the French leaders as seemingly "immortal," someone who was vigorous and struck down "by a terrible storm" and someone that was worthy of remembrance in many ways (p. Ix). De Meneval describes a day in the life of Napoleon shortly after a return from a trip to Egypt, where Bonaparte had been interested in spreading his influence. The author describes Napoleon as "gentlemanly" and suggest that he was an individual set on task and of clear mind, explaining to his colleagues among other things the plausible motives he might use to satisfy "the desire of the population" (De Meneval, 1894:9).

Further Napoleon is described as someone whose presence that particular day inspired warm enthusiasm from the population at large in part a testament to his "zeal and devotion' (De Meneval, 1894:9). Among Napoleon's cares as described by De Meneval that day included remedying the "pitiful state' in which the troops of Corsica were in at the time, with his emphasis on keeping them alive and well (10).

A day in the life of Napoleon according to De Meneval might include attending to many tedious yet important military tasks, appeasing the needs of the public and portraying an image that suggested a warm, compassionate and charismatic leader. Bonaparte is portrayed as having many of the same interests of any common man including eating some fruit upon return from his journey, as apparently this was a 'luxury' he did not have much of whilst traveling (De Meneval, 1894:10)

Geyl & Renier (1949) present Napoleon also as an individual who perhaps led a legendary life, presenting Napoleon as a "mighty Emperor" but also as someone who "for all his incomparable cleverness, greatness and luck, is nevertheless accessible" (p. 23).

Geyl & Renier, viewing an ordinary day in the life of Napoleon suggest that before anything else Napoleon was concerned with possessing equality and restoring order and presenting the public with a victorious and likeable leader concerned with the best interests of the people of France (Geyl & Renier, 1949:23).

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A day in the life of Napoleon as described by the authors is one filled with "enthusiasm for liberty, memories of glory, nations made by kings and leaders ennobled by him" (Geyl & Renier, 1949:28).

Though the authors point out that there are many in other countries of Europe who sought to defeat Napoleon, he was a "king remembered by the people" one whose ordinary days were filled with taking care of the best interests of his public and spreading charm and charisma throughout the land and nation at large (Geyl & Renier, 1949:28). Once Napoleon is described as the man of the people and the man of the "hero-worshiping boy."

Geyl & Renier….....

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