Des chapitres et des nuits. Les divisions dans Les Mille et Une Nuits (xviiie-xixe siècles)

Abstract

This article shows how “nights” in Arabian Nights divide the collection in the French imaginary. The study is based on a comparison between different French translations of the text, from Antoine Galland’s to that of Joseph Mardrus, by observing the hierarchical connection between the “night” and the “story,” the specific layout of these different levels of division, and their links with the chapter. It concludes that a “night” is truly a “chapter” only when the enunciation of tales has waned.

Keywords

• Arabian Nights
• reception studies
• chapter
• table of contents
• narrative section
• fiction