Title
Ourika: An English Translation (MLA Texts and Translations),New
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John Fowles presents a remarkable translation of a nineteenthcentury work that provided the seed for his acclaimed novel The French Lieutenant's Woman and that will astonish and haunt modern readers.Based on a true story, Claire de Duras's Ourika relates the experiences of a Senegalese girl who is rescued from slavery and raised by an aristocratic French family during the time of the French Revolution. Brought up in a household of learning and privilege, she is unaware of her difference until she overhears a conversation that suddenly makes her conscious of her raceand of the prejudice it arouses. From this point on, Ourika lives her life not as a French woman but as a black woman who feels 'cut off from the entire human race.' As the Reign of Terror threatens her and her adoptive family, Ourika struggles with her unusual position as an educated African woman in eighteenthcentury Europe.A bestseller in the 1820s, Ourika captured the attention of Duras's peers, including Stendhal, and became the subject of four contemporary plays. The work represents a number of firsts: the first novel set in Europe to have a black heroine; the first French literary work narrated by a black female protagonist; and, as Fowles points out in the foreword to his translation, 'the first serious attempt by a white novelist to enter a black mind.'
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- Q: What is the main theme of Ourika? A: The main theme of Ourika revolves around identity, race, and the struggles of a black woman in 18th-century Europe. It explores the protagonist's journey of self-awareness and the societal prejudices she faces.
- Q: Who is the author of Ourika? A: Ourika is authored by Claire De Duras, a notable figure in French literature.
- Q: What type of book is Ourika? A: Ourika is categorized as Genre Fiction, specifically a critical edition that provides an English translation of a historic narrative.
- Q: How many pages does Ourika have? A: Ourika has a total of 47 pages.
- Q: When was Ourika published? A: Ourika was published on January 1, 1995.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is in new condition, ensuring that it is unused and in pristine quality.
- Q: Is Ourika available in different formats? A: Ourika is available in paperback format, which is ideal for readers who prefer physical books.
- Q: What makes Ourika a significant literary work? A: Ourika is significant as it features one of the first black female protagonists in a European novel and addresses themes of race and identity during the French Revolution.
- Q: Is there any special edition of Ourika? A: Yes, this is a critical edition, which typically includes additional commentary or analysis that enriches the reader's understanding.
- Q: Who is the intended audience for Ourika? A: The intended audience includes readers interested in historical narratives, literary studies, and those seeking to understand complex themes of race and identity.