A Probe Into The Feminine Consciousness Of Madame De Sta(?)l

Madame de Stael was a talented French feminine writer at the beginning of 19^th century and the forerunner of French Romanticism. This thesis analyzes the Feminine Consciousness of Madame de Stael in her literary works and it aims at a good understanding and a proper evaluation of her works and her Feminine Consciousness. In the analyzing process, modern Feminist Literary Criticism theory is applied, and the historical and cultural backgrounds at her time are considered as well.The introduction part of the thesis briefly summarizes the studies that have carried out on Madame de Stael both at home and abroad. The writing perspectives of the thesis are put forward in this part as well.The body part of the thesis consists of four chapters:Chapter one is about Feminist Literary Criticism. It briefly states the theoretical features and the claims of it, and the relationship between Feminist Literary Criticism and Feminine Consciousness.Chapter two is one of the main parts of the thesis, which mainly relies on analyzing De l'Allemagne , the literary work of Madame de Stael. It re-evaluates this work and points out clearly the significance of Madame de Stael's Feminine Consciousness.Chapter three is the central part of the thesis. It analyzes Madame de Stael's Feminine Consciousness through the text of Delphine. Her Feminine Consciousness can be seen in the two aspects: the awakening of Feminine Consciousness and the self-reversal of Feminine Consciousness. Her concerns about marriage freedom and women's consciousness of financing independence are beyond her times. However, Madame de Stael is not a conscious feminist. Feminine images in novel does not lack in the patriarchal words' brand , and it makes us know that the phallocentric culture assimilates the feminine writers invisibly.Chapter four makes clear the reasons for the Feminine Consciousness of Madame de Stael from three aspects. First of all, it is the influence of her personal miserable marriage experience. Secondly, it is the influence of her unique life experience. The spirits of freedom and equality helped a lot in the shaping of her Feminine Consciousness. Thirdly, it is the social and cultural backgrounds at that time. Under the influence of Enlightenment thoughts, the first French Feminist movement broke out, which had a far-reach influence in France. Madame de Stael, as a member of bourgeoisie, was influenced by the new thoughts, which was visibly embodied in her works.Madame de Stael was a novelist and literary critic. Not only did her talent surpass most of her contemporaries but it is even rare today. The Feminine Consciousness showed in her literary works will arouse more attention from the scholars.