Author Description
'It has taken me a long time, my dearest Aza, to fathom the cause of that contempt in which women are held in this country...' Zilia, an Inca Virgin of the Sun, is captured by the Spanish conquistadores and brutally separated from her lover, Aza. She is rescued and taken to France by Déterville, a nobleman, who is soon captivated by her. One of the most popular novels of the eighteenth century, The Letters of a Peruvian Woman recounts Zilia's feelings on her separation from both her lover and her culture, and her experience of a new and alien society. Françoise de Graffigny's bold and innovative novel clearly appealed to the contemporary taste for the exotic and the timeless appetite for love stories. But by fusing sentimental fiction and social commentary, she also created a new kind of heroine, defined by her intellect as much as her feelings. The novel's controversial ending calls into question traditional assumptions about the role of women both in fiction and society, and about what constitutes 'civilization'. About the series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
After being abducted by Spanish conquistadors and torn from her lover, Zilia, an Inca Virgin of the Sun, must navigate the alien social structures of 18th-century France. Zilia attempts to reconcile her cultural identity with the expectations of her new environment while communicating her observations through a series of letters. She faces the persistent romantic advances of her rescuer, Déterville, which forces her to balance her loyalty to her past with the reality of her present circumstances. The narrative framework relies on the epistolary form, providing an intimate look at the protagonist's internal development and intellectual growth as she critiques the society that holds her captive.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Epistolary narrative structure consisting of letters written by the protagonist
- Exploration of the clash between Inca culture and European social norms
- Intellectual development of a female protagonist beyond traditional sentimental tropes
- Critique of 18th-century gender roles and societal expectations
- Themes of displacement, cultural alienation, and personal autonomy
- Romantic tension between the protagonist and her French rescuer
- Use of the exotic as a lens for social and political commentary
- A controversial conclusion that challenges contemporary literary conventions
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently highlight the novel's significance as a bridge between sentimental fiction and early feminist social critique. Discussion often centers on how the epistolary format allows for a nuanced portrayal of Zilia's evolving intellect and her critical gaze toward French society. Scholars note that the work effectively utilizes the exotic setting to expose the contradictions inherent in European definitions of civilization. Many readers appreciate the balance between the emotional weight of the protagonist's separation from her lover and the logical rigor of her observations regarding gender inequality. The text remains a subject of study for its departure from standard romantic resolutions of the period.
Page Count:
208
Publication Date:
2009-01-01
Publisher:
Ebsco Publishing
ISBN-10:
0191548987
ISBN-13:
9780191548987
Romance
Epistolary
Social Commentary
Historical
18th century
classic
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