Section 1 Summary

Notes. In her commentary for the "1981 American Paperback Edition", the translator describes how the collection of Exercises evolves from a group of twelve written in 1942, to a group of 99 by 1946, which, according to the author, is the perfect number. The translator also describes how in later years the author sketches out possibilities for further exercises, and suggests that in addition to many of the Exercises being extremely funny, there are layers of meaning and implication that can be found in each individual exercise.

Preface. In her preface to the initial publication of her translation in 1958, the translator comments on the inherent wisdom of both the author and his works (including the Exercises). She also discusses how part of the author's intent in developing the Exercises was to help the spoken French language free itself from centuries of rules and restrictions (see "Objects/Places...