“Chant de guerre parisien”’s Function in the May 15, 1871 Letter A parodic example of citizen poetry “à l’antique”

This article offers a detailed analysis of the “Parisian War Song”, based on the idea that Rimbaud derides not only Versailles propaganda, but also that of the communards. In the wider context of the letter of 13 May 1871, it appears that this poem is a parodic illustration of “ancient poetry” - a form of poetry destined, according to Rimbaud, to be outdated.