1960s: The New Novel is one of the most popular literary genres.

Today: The confessional narrative gains a prominent position in the literary world.

1960s: France is just coming out of a period of political instability. During the twelve-year rule of it's post-war government, the Fourth Republic, there are roughly twenty-six changes in prime minister. General Charles de Gaulle founds the Fifth Replic in 1958.

Today: France has enjoyed a relatively stable government since the founding of the Fifth Republic.

1960s: A literary movement called poststructur-alism dominates literary theory in Europe and the United States.

Today: Cultural studies have become the most popular form of literary criticism.