How did Mérimée view human nature in his works?

Answered in Prosper Mérimée's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

I observed human nature with a certain detachment, often noting its darker impulses and inherent contradictions. My characters, whether in historical settings or my novellas, frequently grapple with passion, pride, and a sense of destiny. I was not inclined towards sentimentalism; instead, I focused on the practical realities of human behavior, the interplay of will and circumstance. The consequences of these human drives, often leading to tragic or ironic outcomes, are a recurring theme in my work.

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