Abstract
This essay makes the case for a courtesan novel, a sub-genre of popular fiction by renowned demi - mondaines in France from the Second Empire through the Belle Époque, who challenged in their novels Alexandre Dumas's portrayal of Marguerite in his La Dame aux camélias (1848), claiming that this work do not only promotes unrealistic stereotypes of courtesans, but also harmful ones. After defining the characteristics of the genre, this essay examines the way Céleste de Chabrillan, who famously privileged the courtesan's response to her own alienation in her autobiographical Adieux au monde (1854) and her fictional la Sapho , inspired Louise (“Valtesse”) de la Bigne (who wrote as “Ego”) to also up her pen to write courtesan fiction just as her protegée Liane de Pougy would during the Belle Époque. In Isola , Ego paints the competitive and aspersive demi - monde at the dawn of the Belle Époque. The work, now long-forgotten, though popular when first released, entices readers with its efforts to humanize the demi - mondaine , to underscore the societal hypocrisies that fuel its existence, and to refute the stereotypes of the courtesan as a venal and heartless creature.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
