Mademoiselle de Maupin

About this book

"Mademoiselle de Maupin" by Théophile Gautier is a novel written in the early 19th century. The story explores themes of love, gender identity, and societal norms through the adventures of its central character, Madeleine de Maupin, a spirited and unconventional woman who challenges the gender roles of her time. The opening of "Mademoiselle de Maupin" presents a preface that critiques contemporary societal mores and the hypocritical attitudes toward morality and virtue. Gautier uses a satirical tone to articulate his disdain for those who preach virtue while hypocritically indulging in vice. He reflects on the shifting views of morality in literature, presenting a colorful and humorous critique of journalists and their moralistic tendencies. This preface sets the stage for the story to follow, indicating that the novel will feature a protagonist who embodies a defiance of the societal expectations of femininity and virtue that Gautier finds absurd.