The prase appears in the book "Foucault's Pendulum" written by Umberto
Eco.
I would like to know what it is, where it is, and why the author is
referencing to it.  Ch 7, page 43. Please help.

Hi! Thanks for the question.

It is actually called the Academie de Saint-Cyr.  I read the book and
found it very interesting indeed. This web page provides an annotation
about Academie de Saint-Cyr.

"To enter a university a year or two after 1968 was like being
admitted to the Academie de Saint-Cyr in 1793"

"The Academie de Saint-Cyr is on of France's most prestigious military
academies. Situated in Paris, it was impossible for instructors and
cadets not to take part in the Revolution at their very doors. 1792
was a particularly eventful (and bloody) year, with the French Army
repelling the Austro-Hungarian troops (On Sept 20th, 1792, the French
Army defeated the Prussians at Valmy, prompting the witnessing Göthe
to say: "On this day begins a new era in the history of the world."),
and the Monarchy being abolished and the King and Queen imprisoned
(they were later tried and found guilty of treason, and beheaded in
January 1793). In September, 1792 the Convention emerged as a
provisional revolutionary goverment, and Septermber 22nd, 1792 was to
be considered (by the revolutionary calendar's reckoning) the first
day of the year."

"1968 is a year of students uprisings throughout Europe and America."

"Annotations to Eco's Foucault's Pendulum"
http://plg.uwaterloo.ca/~rgesteve/writings/eco-annot.html


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Request for Answer Clarification by seduangel-ga on 24 Oct 2003 06:21 PDT

P.S.  I very much like your nickname, I have a sneaking suspicion we
think alike.  Look up Sedu.

Seriously though, in regards to my question, and please excuse my
ignorance.  You brilliantly explain the events leading up to 1793, but
what was the exact conflict and issues going on among the cadets and
instructors "at their very doors".  From Ch7 in the book I gather they
must be opposing views as between aristocracy and prolitarianism. ( or
was that the conflict in 1793)?

Do you need more money to keep writing to me? :)

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Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 24 Oct 2003 07:45 PDT

Hi again Sedu!

It seems that this was used by Umberto Eco to show the tension of
being in revolution on two separate eras in society. One (1793) was
having a real war or civilian appraising while the either saw a
revoulution (1968) brought about by the socio-political conflicts
during that time. It seems that this was the comparison the author was
trying to make.

I answered your question in a manner provided to give a reason why the
author is referencing it. So in this regard I have answered your
question fully.

Unfortunately I could not find additional inside information on the
Academie de Saint-Cyr so I cannot fully describe the conflict within
its doors. I suggest that if you want to pursue this further you may
post another question so that another researcher maybe able to provide
an answer.

This clarification was given with no more additional charges, but if
you decide to post another question then it will be charged
separately.

I hope that this enriches my original answer. Thank you.

Best Regards,
Easterangel-ga

needs more info.  Answer needs to be related to the importance to the
story.  The answer was given about 1792 mostly and I wanted more,
more, more about 1793.  Also needs more than one reference to answer
the question.