Publication Date

1993

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Lukacher, Maryline, 1946-

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures

LCSH

Sand; George; 1804-1876--Criticism and interpretation; Historical fiction; French--History and criticism; Politics and literature--France--History--19th century; Feminism and literature--France--History--19th century

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine George Sand's use of the historical novel to examine relationships, especially marriage, and to demonstrate her political views. My focus is on both the elements in her life which influenced her opinions and on current political forces. I also intend to join the debate on whether or not Sand compromised her feminist ideals and will attempt to show that although it would appear that she resigned herself to being a country "Lady," she in fact maintained her agenda of working toward a more democratic society. My primary focus is the texts of Mauprat and Consuelo. but I will look at Sand's correspondences and her autobiography as well. In the first chapter, I concentrate on her relationship with Pierre Leroux, the man credited with founding the social-democratic movement. This relationship is important because it parallels Sand's increased interest in politics, especially socialism. Sand believed that education was an extremely important element in the formation of a society based on social equality. Her novel Mauprat sets out to demonstrate Jean- Jacques Rousseau's theories on education but evolves into Sand's own somewhat idealistic approach to social reform, using education as the primary method of achieving the goal. Her agenda takes on a more realistic outlook by the time she writes Consuelo and The Countess of Rudolstadt. Consuelo * s sequel, the focus of the third chapter. Sand continues to show her readers where they can improve themselves in order to improve society, but her ending is less fairytale-1 ike than in Mauprat, showing that more changes must occur before the social transformation is complete. I found that Sand, though disappointed in the failure of the 1848 revolution, believed that social reform was possible and that women could achieve the same goals as men. But she also believed that that time had not yet come and she retired to Nohant from Paris to continue to write stories that; would encourage her readers to struggle to improve themselves and society.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [84]-85)

Extent

87 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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