The Fourteenth of July, and Danton: Two Plays of the French Revolution

"The Fourteenth of July, and Danton: Two Plays of the French Revolution" by Romain Rolland is a set of historical dramas that bring the French Revolution to life in the early 1900s. It spotlights how important figures and the common people worked together during this time. These plays highlight key ideas like freedom, fairness in society, and the reasons driving big changes. "The Fourteenth of July" starts by showing the worried mood in Paris right before people attacked the Bastille on July 14, 1789. It shows how different groups felt—excited, scared, and ready to do something about the king's power. Characters like Camille Desmoulins and regular folks talk about what to do and how to stick together against those in charge. The way they talk is full of feeling, showing how much was at stake and setting up the big events to come. Rolland focuses on "the People" as one big character to show that the revolution was powered by everyone, not just a few leaders.