R. L. Stevenson’s “The Enchantress” (1889): A Fin de Siècle Cautionary Tale?

Abstract

The Enchantress di R. L. Stevenson racconta “le avventure di un gentleman squattrinato e di una giovane ereditiera”, che si incontrano in Francia, vanno in Inghilterra e poi in Scozia per contrarre “un matrimonio singolare”. La coppia si separa il giorno stesso delle nozze dacché la signora Hatfield abbandona il marito per recarsi nelle Americhe. Ci si propone di rileggere il racconto, con attenzione particolare alla sua valenza in termini di critica sociale e di cambiamento culturale. Indagando se e in che misura il racconto funga da monito per il lettore, se ne sottolinea la rappresentazione di tradizione e convenzione, coi propri limiti e potenzialità, oltre gli stereotipi culturali dominanti nel periodo del fin de siècle.

DOI: 10.17456/SIMPLE-241

Parole chiave: Stevenson, The Enchantress, New Woman question, fin de siècle.

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