A Fair Penitent E-Book

Wilkie Collins

• Herausgeber: DigiCat
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

In "A Fair Penitent," Wilkie Collins masterfully weaves a tale exploring themes of morality, guilt, and societal expectation through the lens of Victorian England. The novella presents a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of human relationships, particularly focusing on the dichotomy of desire and duty. Collins employs a signature blend of realism and sensationalism, characterized by intricate character development and a vivid portrayal of contemporary social mores, which continues to resonate with modern readers. The novella's sharp dialogue and detailed settings augment its exploration of the ethical dilemmas faced by its protagonists, particularly the haunting struggles of the titular penitent. Wilkie Collins, often celebrated as one of the pioneers of the detective genre, was heavily influenced by his own experiences and the literary milieu of his time. As a close associate of Charles Dickens and a prominent figure in Victorian literature, Collins grappled with the constraints placed on women and their roles in society. His insights into the intricacies of personal motivation and moral conflict are reflective of his progressive views on gender and social justice, making him a compelling voice of his era. This novella merits a place on the shelf of any reader interested in the intersections of ethics and personal tragedy within a historical context. Collins's keen observations and rich characterizations breathe life into a narrative that artfully prompts reflection on the enduring dilemmas of human nature. Readers willing to engage with the moral complexities presented will find themselves captivated by Collins's deft storytelling and philosophical depth.

Leseprobe

Wilkie Collins

A Fair Penitent

 

EAN 8596547249337

DigiCat, 2022 Contact: [email protected]

Table of Contents

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Titlepage

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About “A Fair Penitent”

Table of Contents

This story first appeared in Charles Dickens’ magazine, “Household Words,” volume 16, number 382, July 18, 1857. Published anonymously, as all contributions to the magazine were, it was attributed definitely to Wilkie Collins by Anne Lohrli in her analysis of the magazine’s financial accounts.

A FAIR PENITENT

Table of Contents

Charles Pineau Duclos was a French writer of biographies and novels, who lived and worked during the first half of the eighteenth century. He prospered sufficiently well, as a literary man, to be made secretary to the French Academy, and to be allowed to succeed Voltaire in the office of historiographer of France. He has left behind him, in his own country, the reputation of a lively writer of the second class, who addressed the public of his day with fair success, and who, since his death, has not troubled posterity to take any particular notice of him.

Among the papers left by Duclos, two manuscripts were found, which he probably intended to turn to some literary account. The first was a brief Memoir, written by himself, of a Frenchwoman, named Mademoiselle Gautier, who began life as an actress and who ended it as a Carmelite nun. The second manuscript was the lady’s own account of the process of her conversion, and of the circumstances which attended her moral passage from the state of a sinner to the state of a saint. There are certain national peculiarities in the character of Mademoiselle Gautier and in the narrative of her conversion, which are perhaps interesting enough to be reproduced with some chance of pleasing the present day.

It appears, from the account given of her by Duclos, that Mademoiselle Gautier made her appearance on the stage of the Théâtre François in the year seventeen hundred and sixteen. She is described as a handsome woman, with a fine figure, a fresh complexion, a lively disposition, and a violent temper. Besides possessing capacity as an actress, she could write very good verses, she was clever at painting in miniature, and, most remarkable quality of all, she was possessed of prodigious muscular strength. It is recorded of Mademoiselle, that she could roll up a silver plate with her hands, and that she covered herself with distinction in a trial of strength with no less a person than the famous soldier, Marshal Saxe.