Marie Rabutin-Chantal De Sevigne
Marie Rabutin-Chantal De Sevigne
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Marie Rabutin-Chantal De Sevigne was a French aristocrat, salonnière, and writer, commonly known as Madame de Sévigné.
Birth and Death Dates
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Madame de Sévigné was born on February 5, 1626, in Paris, France. She passed away on June 20, 1696, at the age of 70, in Grignan, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Madame de Sévigné was a French national, and her primary profession was that of an aristocrat. However, she is also remembered for her literary works and contributions to the world of letters.
Early Life and Background
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Born into a noble family, Madame de Sévigné was raised in a household that valued education and the arts. Her father, François de Rabutin-Chantal, was a courtier and diplomat who played a significant role in shaping her intellectual curiosity and love for literature. Madame de Sévigné's early life was marked by frequent moves between Paris and various provincial châteaux, which exposed her to diverse social circles and cultural experiences.
Major Accomplishments
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Madame de Sévigné is renowned for several achievements that cemented her place in history:
Salonnière: She was a celebrated hostess who presided over one of the most famous salons in 17th-century France. Her gatherings attracted prominent intellectuals, writers, and artists, including Molière, La Fontaine, and Racine.
Correspondent: Madame de Sévigné maintained an extensive network of correspondents across Europe, exchanging letters on a wide range of topics from politics to literature.
Writer: Her own literary output included numerous letters, poems, and essays that showcased her wit, humor, and insight into the human condition.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Madame de Sévigné's most notable works include:
Letters: Her extensive correspondence with family members, friends, and acquaintances provides a unique window into 17th-century French society.
Correspondance: A collection of her letters published posthumously in 1734, which has become a cornerstone of French literary heritage.Impact and Legacy
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Madame de Sévigné's influence extends beyond the literary world:
Socialite: Her salon played a significant role in shaping French culture and society during the 17th century.
Writer: As a pioneering female writer, she paved the way for future generations of women authors.
Historical Record: Her letters offer invaluable insights into the politics, social norms, and cultural values of her time.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Madame de Sévigné's enduring legacy can be attributed to:
Wit and Humor: Her writing is characterized by its wit, humor, and keen observations on human nature.
Insight into the Human Condition: Her letters offer a nuanced understanding of 17th-century French society and the experiences of women during that era.
* Pioneering Spirit: As a trailblazing female writer, she continues to inspire readers and writers alike with her courage and creativity.
Quotes by Marie Rabutin-Chantal De Sevigne
I am told that a great man, greater by some inches than any other man, had ordered a remarkable costume to be made for him, and after all would not wear it; for he learned by chance that a certain lady, with whose person he was not acquainted, and to whom he never spoke a word in his life, would not be at the assembly.
I experience every day the truth of what you once told me, that there are certain thoughts which are not to be dwelt upon, but passed over as lightly as possible, unless we would be forever in tears: that is my case: for there is not a place in the house which does not give a stab to my heart when I see it: but your room especially deals a deadly blow from every part of it.
I make no doubt, the consternation was general; it must be very disagreeable to have so fatal an event break in upon an entertainment that cost fifty thousand crowns.
Think,—but no; think of nothing, leave the business of thought to me, in my long shady alleys, whose dreary melancholy will add to mine; I shall walk there long enough before I shall find the treasure I had with me the last time I was in them.
I am a fool; that is beyond dispute; but you are bound to love my folly.
Divest yourself of the dislike you have taken to circumstantial details; I have often told you, and you ought yourself to feel the truth of this remark, that they are as dear to us from those we love, as they are tedious and disagreeable from others. If they are displeasing to us, it is only from the indifference we feel for those who write them.
We are never satisfied with having done well, and In endeavoring to do better, do much worse.
Nothing is so capable of overturning a good intention as to show distrust of it; to be suspected for an enemy is often sufficient to make a person become one.
How strange is the force of imagination! it represents things as if they were actually present to us; we consider them so, and to a heart like mine, this is death. I know not where to hide myself from you.