The Quest for Fictionality: Prostitution and Metatextuality in Rachilde’s Monsieur Vénus
This article considers the theme of prostitution in the decadent writings of the fin-de-siecle French author, Rachilde. It proposes that an analysis of this critically-neglected trope of her work reveals new connections between the erotics and aesthetics of her fiction. As a vector for considering t...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Catalan |
| Published: |
Liverpool University Press
2015-05-01
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| Series: | Modern Languages Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.modernlanguagesopen.org/index.php/mlo/article/view/20 |
| _version_ | 1818413982066671616 |
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| author | Steven Wilson |
| author_facet | Steven Wilson |
| author_sort | Steven Wilson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article considers the theme of prostitution in the decadent writings of the fin-de-siecle French author, Rachilde. It proposes that an analysis of this critically-neglected trope of her work reveals new connections between the erotics and aesthetics of her fiction. As a vector for considering tensions between fantasy and truth, and illusion and reality, prostitution, in Rachilde's texts, invites us to reflect on two of the most common cultural manifestations of decadence: sexual non-conformism and the cult of artifice. The article focuses in particular on the (male) prostitute-body of Monsieur Venus, arguing that, in its transcendence of nature, reality and utilitarian purpose, it is elevated to the status of art in Rachilde's fictional world. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T11:11:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8a00e1f1f1204290ab2133cf6bee4879 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2052-5397 |
| language | Catalan |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T11:11:51Z |
| publishDate | 2015-05-01 |
| publisher | Liverpool University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Modern Languages Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-8a00e1f1f1204290ab2133cf6bee48792022-12-21T23:04:14ZcatLiverpool University PressModern Languages Open2052-53972015-05-010010.3828/mlo.v0i0.2030The Quest for Fictionality: Prostitution and Metatextuality in Rachilde’s Monsieur VénusSteven Wilson0Queen's University BelfastThis article considers the theme of prostitution in the decadent writings of the fin-de-siecle French author, Rachilde. It proposes that an analysis of this critically-neglected trope of her work reveals new connections between the erotics and aesthetics of her fiction. As a vector for considering tensions between fantasy and truth, and illusion and reality, prostitution, in Rachilde's texts, invites us to reflect on two of the most common cultural manifestations of decadence: sexual non-conformism and the cult of artifice. The article focuses in particular on the (male) prostitute-body of Monsieur Venus, arguing that, in its transcendence of nature, reality and utilitarian purpose, it is elevated to the status of art in Rachilde's fictional world.http://www.modernlanguagesopen.org/index.php/mlo/article/view/20RachildeDecadenceProstitutionArtArtificeMonsieur VenusL'Heure sexuelle |
| spellingShingle | Steven Wilson The Quest for Fictionality: Prostitution and Metatextuality in Rachilde’s Monsieur Vénus Modern Languages Open Rachilde Decadence Prostitution Art Artifice Monsieur Venus L'Heure sexuelle |
| title | The Quest for Fictionality: Prostitution and Metatextuality in Rachilde’s Monsieur Vénus |
| title_full | The Quest for Fictionality: Prostitution and Metatextuality in Rachilde’s Monsieur Vénus |
| title_fullStr | The Quest for Fictionality: Prostitution and Metatextuality in Rachilde’s Monsieur Vénus |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Quest for Fictionality: Prostitution and Metatextuality in Rachilde’s Monsieur Vénus |
| title_short | The Quest for Fictionality: Prostitution and Metatextuality in Rachilde’s Monsieur Vénus |
| title_sort | quest for fictionality prostitution and metatextuality in rachilde s monsieur venus |
| topic | Rachilde Decadence Prostitution Art Artifice Monsieur Venus L'Heure sexuelle |
| url | http://www.modernlanguagesopen.org/index.php/mlo/article/view/20 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stevenwilson thequestforfictionalityprostitutionandmetatextualityinrachildesmonsieurvenus AT stevenwilson questforfictionalityprostitutionandmetatextualityinrachildesmonsieurvenus |