André malraux sons

1. Biography of André Malraux
2. Political Activism in China
3. Literary Career
4. Political Involvement and Resistance
5. Later Life and Career

Biography of André Malraux

André Malraux was a French novelist, art historian, and statesman. He was born on November 3, 1901, in Paris, into a banker's family. Malraux studied at the Condorcet High School and the National School of Eastern Languages, where he developed a passion for anthropology, archaeology, and history. In 1924, he embarked on a journey to Indochina and later moved to China in 1925.

Political Activism in China

During his time in China, Malraux became closely associated with revolutionary parties and actively supported the communists for several years. Until 1927, he participated in propaganda work for revolutionary groups in Canton and Shanghai. However, after Chiang Kai-shek broke ties with his communist allies, Malraux returned to Europe.

Literary Career

Malraux's first book, "The Temptation of the West" (La Tentation de l'Occident, 1926), was an ideological debate between a Chinese and a European. His novel "The Conquerors" (Les Conquérants, 1928) was based on real events surrounding an attempted revolution in Canton. "The Royal Way" (La Voie royale, 1930) was a psychological thriller set against the backdrop of ancient temples in Cambodia.

However, Malraux gained worldwide fame with his acclaimed masterpiece, "Man's Fate" (La Condition humaine, 1933). The novel revolves around a conspiracy to create a new China, involving Chinese revolutionaries and several adventurous Europeans. Most of the conspirators perish due to betrayal. Malraux also published three other novels - "Days of Wrath" (Le Temps du mépris, 1935), set in a German prison; "Man's Hope" (L'Espoir, 1937), considered one of the best books on the Spanish Civil War; and the abstract and ideological novel "The Walnut Trees of Altenburg" (Les Noyers de l'Altenbourg, 1942).

Political Involvement and Resistance

After 1933, Malraux defended his political beliefs with arms, traveled extensively, and acquainted himself with cultural landmarks. He served as a pilot for the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War. However, the atrocities committed by the Communists and the anarchy among the Republicans led him to reassess his views. During World War II, Malraux initially fought in the French Army's tank corps before joining the underground Resistance. He became a hero of the Resistance and ended the war as a colonel in the regular army.

Later Life and Career

After 1945, alongside diverse writings on politics, cinema, and literature, Malraux published numerous articles on art history. His works on this subject were compiled in books such as "Voices of Silence" (Les Voix du silence, 1951) and "The Metamorphosis of the Gods" (La Métamorphose des dieux, 1957). In 1958, when de Gaulle returned to power, Malraux became the Minister of Culture.

In 1967, Malraux published his autobiography, "Antimémoires" (Antimémoires). Captivating and fragmented, it described dramatic events, the spirit of the time, and philosophical conversations with figures like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mao Zedong. In his book, "The Felled Oaks" (Les Chênes qu'on abat, 1972), Malraux reproduced his conversations with de Gaulle. André Malraux passed away on November 23, 1976, in Paris.