Isabelle de Charrière romancière et musicienne : musique et topicité

Abstract

This article discusses the two fields in which Isabelle de Charrière was active: writing and music making – especially the way in which she establishes connections between the two. Not only did she compose music for a number of her own poems, but her novels often include characters (either principal or secondary) who are busy making music or teaching music to children, especially girls. This need for teaching music – and preparing women for being able to please in society – corresponds to a norm which the novelist brings up for discussion. In most cases this discussion is connected to wider doubts about the norms that determine social life.