Les Aventures d’une nouvelle Télémaque

Abstract

The novel Voyages de Mylord Céton dans les sept planètes, ou le Nouveau Mentor (1765-1766) is Marie-Anne Robert's most successful work. Drawing on the literary tradition that preceded her, the author proposes a new female model based on a reflection arising from the Women's Quarrel. The training of her heroine, far from being socially subversive – she is a predestined princess – is nonetheless emblematic, as she demands a woman’s right to a careful education in all areas. This can be seen as a harbinger of a new social order and a literary modernity that other novels would develop over the following centuries.

Keywords

• Bildungsroman
• Robert (Marie-Anne)
• utopian novel
• women's quarrel
• imaginary journey
• Eighteenth century novel