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Before the eighteenth century, the first-person narrative was generally perceived of as self-indulgent, not to mention distasteful. Eighteenth-century readers, however, became fascinated with the looking glass of the first person, with the intimacy, immediacy, and confesional aspect of the "je" narrator. It comes as no surprise then that the eighteenth century was the golden age of the ROMAN EPISTOLAIRE, the novel composed entirely of letters. In this class we will read epistolary novels that vary wi dely in both form and content: from Madame de Graffigny's critique of European societ;y (Lettres d'une peruvienne), to Mme de Charriere's praise of female independence (Lettres de Mistriss Henley), to Lacios' portrait of aristocratic libertinage (Les liai sons dangereuses). We will also read two examples of the epistolary novel's stylistic counterpart, the roman-memoire.
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA RLAN Grading Mode: Student Option
Prerequisites: FREN215
Last Updated on MAR-24-2000
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459