Claire De Durfort Duras

Ourika (eBook, ePUB)

An Intimate Exploration of Race, Identity, and Belonging in 19th Century France

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In "Ourika," Claire de Durfort, duchesse de Duras, intricately weaves a poignant tale that explores themes of identity, race, and social exclusion in early 19th-century France. Through the life of its eponymous protagonist, a Senegalese girl raised by a French aristocratic family, the novella offers a profound commentary on the complexities of belonging and the harsh realities of societal prejudice. Duras employs a lyrical and introspective literary style, characterized by philosophical reflections and emotional depth, which invites readers to examine the intersection of culture and individual experience in a post-Enlightenment context. Claire de Duras, a prominent figure in the Romantic literary movement, was deeply influenced by her own experiences in a society marked by rigid class structures and evolving notions of race and gender. Her aristocratic background, alongside her progressive views, informed her exploration of marginalized voices. "Ourika" stands as a significant work of the time, prefiguring later discussions of colonialism and identity, while revealing Duras's commitment to social justice and empathy through her writing. This novella is highly recommended for readers interested in understanding the historical narratives surrounding race and gender, as well as those seeking a rich, emotionally resonant story. "Ourika" not only illuminates the struggles of its protagonist but also encourages a critical analysis of contemporary social issues, making it an essential read for scholars and casual readers alike.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Good Press
• Seitenzahl: 26
• Erscheinungstermin: 19. Mai 2021
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 4057664591081
• Artikelnr.: 58435920

Autorenporträt

Claire de Durfort, known as the Duchesse de Duras (1777-1828), was a French writer of the early 19th century whose literary contributions reflect the complexities and transitions of post-revolutionary France. Born into an aristocratic family, she lived through the tumultuous times of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, experiences that influenced her worldview and subsequent literary expressions. Her literary work is often characterized by a keen exploration of social issues and psychological depth, highlighted by her compassion for the disenfranchised. Her most celebrated novella, 'Ourika' (1823), conveys the story of a Black Senegalese woman raised in French aristocracy, tackling themes of racial identity and societal alienation. 'Ourika' is a masterclass in narrative introspection and was quite progressive for its time, being arguably one of the first European literary works to present a Black female protagonist in a complex, empathetic light. The book gained wide praise for its poignant narrative and delicate portrayal of personal anguish in the face of insurmountable social barriers. De Duras's literary style, characterized by its straightforward and evocative prose, grants readers a transparent window into the personal isolation and desire for belonging that transcend boundaries of race and class. Though her literary output was not voluminous, the Duchesse de Duras earned her spot in the literary canon as a compassionate and socially aware author, whose works offered a prescient commentary on the societal constructs of her day.