In 1869, Mérimée continued his observations on Russian power with his consideration of a marginal anecdote from the reign of Catherine II: the appearance in various European cities of a young woman who claimed to be the concealed daughter of the previous ruler. Mérimée revives the “usage de faux” peculiar to his writing of history: through her passion for imposture, the usurper engages in a spectacular logic of illusion, allowing the historian to shed light on events occluded from the story.
CLIL theme: 4027 -- SCIENCES HUMAINES ET SOCIALES, LETTRES -- Lettres et Sciences du langage -- Lettres -- Etudes littéraires générales et thématiques
ISBN:978-2-406-12048-3
EAN:9782406120483
ISSN: 2262-2098
DOI: 10.48611/isbn.978-2-406-12048-3.p.0055
Publisher: Classiques Garnier
Online publication: 07-07-2021
Periodicity: Annual
Language: French
Keyword: Mérimée, Russia, Catherine II, usurpation, theater, imposture