Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze and compare the philosophical and literary ideas of Mme de Stael and Mme de Genlis. ;If nearly two centuries have left the reputation of Mme de Stael intact, the same could not be said for Mme de Genlis who, despite several recent studies, remains unknown to critics and the general public. The goal of this work is to compare and contrast the ideas of these two women who lived in the same period. It strives to emphasize the system of thought which was the basis for their reactions to the historical events of their time. ;A short biography of the two authors explains how their attitudes towards the philosophers and religion were rooted in their very different upbringings. ;The second chapter concerns both the attitude of Mme de Genlis and of Mme de Stael towards the Revolution and the Empire. It gives a general view of their literary ideas, particularly in the area of fiction. This study contains a new reading of the historical novels of Mme de Genlis, highlighting some Romantic aspects in her works. ;It shows that Mme de Genlis, who professed to hate Romanticism, was in reality strongly influenced by this movement. Finally, a comparison between Corinne and Delphine and La Duchesse de la Valliere and Madame de Maintenon underlines the importance of history for these two writers and the different ways in which they approached it in their work. ;A third chapter examines the position of Mme de Stael and Mme de Genlis with respect to philosophy and religion. Mme de Stael proclaims the connection between philosophy and religion through the concept of perfectibility. Mme de Genlis saw modern philosophy as the source of all evil, notably that of atheism. ;This study seeks to reinstate Mme de Genlis as a thinker and novelist who deserves a place near her rival, Mme de Stael