Corinne; or, Italy (eBook)

Anne Louise Germaine de Staël-Holstein (1766–1817), commonly known as Madame de Staël, was an illustrious French woman of letters of Swiss origin and one of the foremost intellectuals of her time. Known for her conversational eloquence and her salons, which gathered the intellectual elite of the era, Madame de Staël was an ardent supporter of political liberalism and opposed the Napoleonic regime, which led to her exile. A prominent figure in the literary and intellectual movement that preceded Romanticism, she left a profound mark on the European culture and literary tradition. Her most celebrated work, 'Corinne, or Italy' (1807), is a seminal novel that weaves travel literature with psychological narrative and reflection on national identity. The protagonist, Corinne, embodies the spirit of early Romanticism, showcasing the conflict between passion and social norms and exploring the relationship between authorship and gender. De Staël's rich prose and use of the novel to comment on the social and political climate of her time was groundbreaking. Her other works, like 'Delphine' and 'On Germany', also reflect her literary prowess and her contributions to the ideas of her age on culture and politics. Her writings not only entertained but also served as a platform for her to assert her political influence and to critique the societal conditions of her era, particularly concerning the status of women.