A LA LANTERNE Meaning and
Definition
-
A la lanterne is a French term literally meaning "to the lantern." It originated during the French Revolution and became synonymous with a form of popular justice carried out by the people against perceived enemies of the revolution.
The term refers to the practice of summarily executing individuals by hanging them from street lanterns or lamp posts as a public display of dissent or punishment for crimes against the revolution. The act of "A la lanterne" was often considered a method of vigilante justice, as it bypassed the regular judicial system and allowed the public to take matters into their own hands.
During this tumultuous period in French history, the expression "A la lanterne" represented the sentiment of the revolutionaries who sought to hold accountable those they deemed to be enemies of the new order. It symbolized the people's power and their ability to bypass the established authorities in order to enact their own sense of justice.
The act of "A la lanterne" reflected the intense passions and radicalism of the French Revolution, where public executions became commonplace as a means of purging perceived enemies of the revolutionary ideals. It also illustrated the breakdown of traditional legal mechanisms and the empowerment of the masses during this revolutionary period.
