In her description of Marquise de Brinvilliers’ execution, Madame de Sévigné depicts the treatment Marquise received as “more horrible than anyone had imagined.” Sharing the same position as an aristocratic woman lacking many rights, Sévigné commiserates with the Marquise’s life and even “could not hear of it without shuddering,” indicating the discomfort she feels. During the 17th century, the predominant religion in France was Catholicism, which condemned the separation of legally bound couples. Thus, the Marquise’s unsuccessful attempt to murder her husband “believing that Sainte Croix would marry her if she were free” demonstrates a woman’s desperate last resort to fulfill a supposedly inalienable right to happiness. Furthermore, Sévigné relates rumors illustrating how Marquise “died as she had lived, resolutely, and without fear or emotion.” By describing the single status as being free, Madame de Sévigné conveys her attitude towards marriage as being in captivity. Hence, Sévigné admires Marquise de Brinvilliers’ effort to achieve personal liberty and joy, while pitying the woman for her failed
In her description of Marquise de Brinvilliers’ execution, Madame de Sévigné depicts the treatment Marquise received as “more horrible than anyone had imagined.” Sharing the same position as an aristocratic woman lacking many rights, Sévigné commiserates with the Marquise’s life and even “could not hear of it without shuddering,” indicating the discomfort she feels. During the 17th century, the predominant religion in France was Catholicism, which condemned the separation of legally bound couples. Thus, the Marquise’s unsuccessful attempt to murder her husband “believing that Sainte Croix would marry her if she were free” demonstrates a woman’s desperate last resort to fulfill a supposedly inalienable right to happiness. Furthermore, Sévigné relates rumors illustrating how Marquise “died as she had lived, resolutely, and without fear or emotion.” By describing the single status as being free, Madame de Sévigné conveys her attitude towards marriage as being in captivity. Hence, Sévigné admires Marquise de Brinvilliers’ effort to achieve personal liberty and joy, while pitying the woman for her failed