We looked at some preliminary definitions of the fantastique as a notion that clearly refers to the workings of imagination, and as something more specifically referred to the power of the supernatural to disrupt and question our idea and perception of reality. We also discussed the difference between similar notions, such as fantastique, merveilleux, fantasy, étrange, etc. and how scholars have oriented our reception of the fantastique in recent years.

During the second part of the class, we read and analyzed Baudelaire's poem "Le Gouffre", seen as an example of the hesitation in front of the unknown that characterizes human experience in general.