MovieChat Forums > Manon des sources (1987) Discussion > Manon is a classical nymph (oblique spoi...

Manon is a classical nymph (oblique spoilers)

posted 14 years ago by poc-1
6 replies | jump to latest

From Wikipedia:

"Nymphs are personifications of the creative and fostering activities of nature, most often identified with the life-giving outflow of springs ...
Nymphs tended to frequent areas distant from humans, but could be encountered by lone travellers outside the village, where their music might be heard, and the traveller could spy on their dancing or bathing in a stream or pool, either during the noon heat or in the middle of the night. They might appear in a whirlwind. Such encounters could be dangerous, bringing dumbness, besotted infatuation, madness or stroke to the unfortunate human. "

- Wikipedia

Also the whole structure is very reminiscient of Greek tragedy where an innocent mistake (a lost letter, in this case) in combination with human folly leads to downfall.

[–] Frank_Z 14 years ago

Interesting. Thank you.

[–] Fun_Bo 10 years ago

Loved those scenes where the Nymph runs among the rocks with her flock, and showers in a water where her real-life future husband drooled all over...

talking about Greek mythology, the old woman who revealed the truth was named Delphine, similar to Delphi, the Greek prophecy place, a little far-fetched though.

enjoyable movie(s)

but who knows which is which, and who is who

[–] greenbudgie 8 years ago

That is well expressed on how I was viewing Manon. Especially when she is spied on from afar. I like the way that Manon entwined herself in that tree, like a nature spirit, at the beginning of the film.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] london777 8 years ago

I like the way that Manon entwined herself in that tree, like a nature spirit
Tree-nymphs are called "dryads" and were popular motifs in Art Nouveau which had dominated Continental art in the decades immediately preceding Pagnol's novels.

[–] london777 8 years ago

The OP is absolutely correct. The classical tradition lives on more strongly in the arts in France than in the Anglo-Saxon cultures.

The plot reminded me of the works of Thomas Hardy, who patterned his work on Greek tragedy.