The Captive

Historical Context and Significance

«The Captive» is the fifth volume of Marcel Proust's cycle «In Search of Lost Time», which is one of the most significant works in 20th-century literature. In this volume, Proust continues to explore themes of memory, time, and human relationships. The focus is on the complex relationship between the protagonist and Albertine, reflecting the author's deep psychological and philosophical reflections on the nature of love, jealousy, and possession. The book demonstrates Proust's mastery in creating detailed psychological portraits and his ability to convey the inner experiences of characters. «The Captive» is also renowned for its contribution to the development of modernist literature, influencing subsequent generations of writers and artists who sought to explore the inner world of humans and the subjective perception of reality. Proust's style, characterized by long, complex sentences and deep emotional analysis, has had a significant impact on literary language and narrative technique.