Gargantua: Introduction, To Readers, Prologue of the Author and Chapters 1-17 (p. 195-261) Summary

The Introduction informs that this is the first known edition of "Gargantua" and was written early in 1535. To Readers assures that there is nothing corrupting within and urges the readers to live joyfully. Prologue of the Author tells readers to enjoy as this novel was written for them. Chapter one directs the reader to "Pantagruel" for Gargantua's lineage which was uncovered by Jean Audeau in a meadow near Arcea-Galeau, and chapter two is a satirical poem called "Antidoted Bubbles", which was supposedly discovered within a monument from antiquity. Chapter three tells how Grandgousier, a jolly fellow, marries Gargamelle who becomes pregnant and carries her son for eleven months. While pregnant with Gargantua in chapter four, Gargamelle eats a large...