Apology for the Woman Writing and Other Works
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9780226305554
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Apology for the Woman Writing and Other Works
During her lifetime, the gifted writer Marie le Jars de Gournay (1565-1645) was celebrated as one of the "seventy most famous women of all time" in Jean de la Forge’s Circle of Learned Women (1663). The adopted daughter of Montaigne, as well as his editor, Gournay was a major literary force and a pioneering feminist voice during a tumultuous period in France.
This volume presents translations of four of Gournay’s works that address feminist issues. Two of these appear here in English for the first time—The Promenade of Monsieur de Montaigne and The Apology for the Woman Writing. One of the first modern psychological novels, the best-selling Promenade was also the first to explore female sexual feeling. With the autobiographical Apology, Gournay defended every aspect of her life, from her moral conduct to her household management. The book also includes Gournay’s last revisions (1641) of her two best-known feminist treatises, The Equality of Men and Women and The Ladies’ Complaint. The editors provide a general overview of Gournay’s career, as well as individual introductions and extensive annotations for each work.
This volume presents translations of four of Gournay’s works that address feminist issues. Two of these appear here in English for the first time—The Promenade of Monsieur de Montaigne and The Apology for the Woman Writing. One of the first modern psychological novels, the best-selling Promenade was also the first to explore female sexual feeling. With the autobiographical Apology, Gournay defended every aspect of her life, from her moral conduct to her household management. The book also includes Gournay’s last revisions (1641) of her two best-known feminist treatises, The Equality of Men and Women and The Ladies’ Complaint. The editors provide a general overview of Gournay’s career, as well as individual introductions and extensive annotations for each work.
208 pages | 6 x 9 | © 2002
The Other Voice in Early Modern Europe
Literature and Literary Criticism: Romance Languages
Table of Contents
The Other Voice in Early Modern Europe: Introduction to the Series
By Margaret L. King and Albert Rabil, Jr.
Introduction to Marie le Jars de Gournay (1565-1645)
The Promenade of Monsieur de Montaigne (1594)
Introduction
The Printer to the Reader
Dedicatory Epistle
The Promenade of Monsieur de Montaigne
The Equality of Men and Women (1641)
Introduction
Dedication
The Equality of Men and Women
The Ladies’ Complaint (1641)
Introduction
The Ladies’ Complaint
Apology for the Woman Writing (1641)
Introduction
Apology for the Woman Writing
Bibliography
Index
By Margaret L. King and Albert Rabil, Jr.
Introduction to Marie le Jars de Gournay (1565-1645)
The Promenade of Monsieur de Montaigne (1594)
Introduction
The Printer to the Reader
Dedicatory Epistle
The Promenade of Monsieur de Montaigne
The Equality of Men and Women (1641)
Introduction
Dedication
The Equality of Men and Women
The Ladies’ Complaint (1641)
Introduction
The Ladies’ Complaint
Apology for the Woman Writing (1641)
Introduction
Apology for the Woman Writing
Bibliography
Index