However, we can identify works of French literature that embody Enlightenment ideals. Some of the most prominent examples include:
* "Candide" by Voltaire (1759): This satirical novel criticizes religious dogma, political corruption, and philosophical optimism, embodying the Enlightenment's spirit of reason and skepticism.
* "The Social Contract" by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1762): This treatise on political philosophy argues for a society based on the consent of the governed and the general will, a key concept of the Enlightenment.
* "The Spirit of the Laws" by Montesquieu (1748): This work explores different forms of government and advocates for the separation of powers, a cornerstone of modern democratic thought.
* "Encyclopédie" by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert (1751-1772): This monumental collection of knowledge aimed to disseminate information and promote Enlightenment ideals of reason and progress.
It's important to note that these are just a few examples, and many other works of French literature from the Enlightenment period could be considered "successes" in their own right. The Enlightenment was a complex and multifaceted movement that influenced a wide range of literary and artistic expression.