Libre ou soumise ? D'Épinay à Rémusat face à la « Sophie » De Rousseau

This article focuses on the way female writers negotiate the difficult relationship of women and public opinion right before the Revolution. Only few of them were contesting the subordination to the public opinion how J.-J. Rousseau defines the role of his Sophie. After the years 1780-90, the problem is transferred to the novel. Rousseau isn’t quoted anymore, only from the liberals like Rémusat who demands in the name of consciousness, an autonomy at least spiritual and interior.