Gargantua's Utopian Abbey Principles

Extract

[...] It will therefore be interesting to study how the giant sets out the principles of his abbey in opposition to the traditions he deems harmful and how Rabelais situates himself at the same time in the tradition of utopia and Humanism. The excerpt can be divided into three parts. The first part extends from the beginning to line 12: Gargantua proposes an abbey open to the world and less subject to strict rules. The second part extends from line 13 to line 22: Gargantua proposes mixedness and no longer wants religion to be perceived as a refuge for the marginalized. [...]

[...] It can be noted that Gargantua's speech is very structured: 'Firstly'. The giant is affirmative and shows a certain confidence in himself. « It should never be necessary to build walls around it" he opposes this to "all other abbeys are firmly walled". Gargantua thus shows his desire to build an abbey open to the world but also which prevents conspiracies or mockery (the fact of speaking ill of others)." The monk agrees with Gargantua's words in a form of dialogue that may recall the ancient dialogic philosophical tradition. [...]

[...] This description of a community, religious in this case, testifies to a confidence in human beings, particularly in regulating themselves without necessarily falling into vice and laziness. This abbey is also defined by opposition to those already existing and to traditions. Rabelais takes advantage of this to denounce a religious world that would present itself as a refuge for those left behind by society. Rabelais denounces hypocrisy and the unhealthy nature of the separation of the sexes and the lack of relevance in absolutely preaching poverty as well as obedience. [...]

[...] Gargantua, in a sense, advocates for brute discipline: 'governing oneself to the sound of a bell'. Second Part The religion should not be a refuge for the idle Gargantua then criticizes the idea that religion could serve as a refuge for men and women who would not be able to sufficiently integrate into society because they are poorly made: « The women did not enter religion without being blind, lame, hunchbacked, ugly, defeated, mad, senseless, bewitched, and defective.' The long enumeration of negative adjectives gives the portrait of women who enter religion for bad reasons, because they are not beautiful or because they are psychologically unbalanced. [...]

[...] Rabelais mocks this practice by explaining that the same should be done after the passage of a cleric or a nun, implying that this practice would not be less justified in this case. Rabelais shows here his complete irreverence towards religion. Gargantua then addresses a third principle. The giant challenges the linearity and monotony imposed in the convents: 'everything is measured, limited and regulated by the hours'. Gargantua proposes the opposite: 'no clock or any dial'. Gargantua has confidence in the ability of the convent residents to perform tasks without planning: 'all tasks would be carried out according to opportunities and circumstances'. [...]