|
Literary
Representations
Hugo
Balzac
Lorettes and society
Lower
Class Prostitutes and the Law
Representations in Les Miserables
Realities of Authority in Paris
Brothels and Streetwalkers
The Privileged Class: Courtesans
Defining the courtesan
Visual representations
Courtesans in reality
Bibliogrpahy
|
Je
te donne ma malédiction (I give you my curse), by Delpech,
1827
|
The
archetype of the fallen woman was a common one, not exclusive to Fantine
or to Victor Hugo. In this drawing, the French caricaturist and sketch
artist Delpech depicts the woman scorned by her family after returning
to the country after attempting to make it in the city. |
- It is unclear
why the woman was forced to return to her family, but it is very
clear that the family is not pleased by the changes they see in
their daughter. The small child hides behind the mother, and the
other two have obvious looks of scorn and disgust on their faces.
Even the kitten seems to be giving the young woman a strange look.
- The young woman has
obviously been shamed. Her eyes are downcast, her back is to her
family, and she seems to be heading away from them, as if she
has tried to come home and is being sent away again.
- There is a marked
contrast in the styles of dress between the young woman and her
family. Her dress is apparently much newer, relatively fashionable,
and revealing in comparison to the clothing on the other women
depicted. The clothing on the other figures is plain, and clearly
designed simply to serve a purpose rather than to be fashionable,
unlike the dress of the young woman which is utterly impractical,
but much more attractive.
- The dress of the young
woman is obviously out of place with the rather simple surroundings.
While this may be her home and she belonged here once, it is clear
that she no longer is a part of the world the rural world that
she left.
- The theme of the young
man or woman leaving the family country home to make it in the
big city, only to return in disgrace, was a favorite one in the
popular lithographs of the nineteenth century. (Farwell,
89) During the period it became more and more common for people
to move to the city from the country to make their fortunes, most
likely because of the harsh economic conditions of the time.
|
|
