Mlle de Scuderi E-Book

E. T. A. Hoffman

• Herausgeber: Booksell-Verlag
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

In "Mlle de Scuderi," E. T. A. Hoffmann explores the intersections of art, identity, and morality within the vibrant cultural milieu of 17th-century France. This novella is rendered in Hoffmann's characteristic blending of fantasy and reality, utilizing rich, evocative prose that captures the enchantment and peril of the artistic world. Set against the backdrop of Paris, the narrative revolves around the enigmatic figure of Mlle de Scuderi, who becomes embroiled in a series of mysterious crimes, ultimately questioning the nature of inspiration and the price of creativity. This work is a critical examination of the Enlightenment period's tensions between reason and emotion, making it a seminal text within the broader literary context of Romanticism and the Gothic tradition. E. T. A. Hoffmann, a prominent German writer, composer, and music critic, was known for his inclination towards the fantastical and the macabre. His diverse experiences in the musical realm and his proficiency in literature allowed him to engage deeply with themes of artistic creation, madness, and societal convention. Influenced by his own struggles with personal and professional identity, Hoffmann's narratives often convey a profound reflection on the duality of human experience, an aspect thoroughly encapsulated in "Mlle de Scuderi." For readers interested in the rich tapestry of literary history and the profound implications of artistic expression, "Mlle de Scuderi" is a compelling and thought-provoking choice. Hoffmann's masterful storytelling offers not only suspense and intrigue but also deep philosophical reflections on the role of the artist in society. This work invites readers to ponder the boundaries of creativity and morality, making it an essential addition to the canon of Gothic literature. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Leseprobe

E. T. A. Hoffman

Mlle de Scuderi

Enriched edition. A Captivating Tale of Mystery, Romance, and Suspense in 17th-Century Paris

In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience.

Introduction, Studies and Commentaries by Tessa Benson

Edited and published by Good Press, 2022

[email protected]

EAN 4066338076328

Table of Contents

Introduction

Synopsis

Historical Context

Mlle de Scuderi

Analysis

Reflection

Memorable Quotes

Notes

Introduction

Table of Contents

At the heart of this tale, the glitter of exquisite jewelry illuminates a labyrinth where beauty incites desire, desire awakens crime, and the search for justice must thread its way between courtly splendor and nocturnal dread, asking whether conscience can remain lucid when power, reputation, and artistry cast shadows as deep as the alleyways of Paris, and whether words, wielded by a keen observer of society, can restore measure to a city dazzled and misled by appearances as rumor multiplies and fear threatens to harden into judgment before truth can be carefully weighed.

Mademoiselle de Scude9ri by E. T. A. Hoffmann is a historical crime novella with Romantic and proto-detective elements, set in late seventeenth-century Paris under the reign of Louis XIV. First published in the late 1810s, it belongs to the high period of German Romanticism, when authors experimented with blending the uncanny, the psychological, and the social. Hoffmann situates his narrative within salons, workshops, streets, and court antechambers, allowing historical figures to share the stage with imagined ones. The result is a compact work that feels both atmospheric and purposeful, balancing period detail with a forward-looking interest in investigation and moral inquiry.

The premise unfolds around a spate of night-time attacks tied to jewels, unsettling a city that prides itself on luxury and order. The celebrated writer Madeleine de Scude9ry, esteemed for her wit and integrity, is drawn into the mystery when an appeal for help touches her sense of justice and places her between vulnerable petitioners and imposing authorities. As she moves among salons and the apparatus of power, she listens, observes, and weighs motives with patient acuity. Readers encounter a narrative that offers suspense without sensationalism, a poised voice attentive to nuance, and a mood that oscillates between courtly elegance and street-level menace.

Hoffmann populates the story with figures who embody the era's tensions: the respected goldsmith Rene9 Cardillac, whose masterpieces are coveted across Paris; a loyal young assistant whose fate becomes a test of public judgment; officials charged with maintaining order in a climate of anxiety; and the monarchic court, where favor and suspicion can pivot in an instant. At the center stands Mademoiselle de Scude9ry herself, elderly yet incisive, modeling how empathy, prudence, and rhetorical tact might operate where force and fear dominate. The interplay of these characters generates a drama that is intimate in motive and expansive in implication.

Key themes emerge with clarity: the moral claims of conscience versus the imperatives of centralized justice; the seductive power of objects that absorb the desire and status of their owners; the volatility of rumor in a society hungry for spectacle; and the responsibility of artists and intellectuals within fragile public spheres. Hoffmann probes how beauty can both refine and distort perception, how law can protect yet also imperil the innocent, and how truth depends on the courage to question appearances. The novella links the craft of making whether jewels or narratives to questions of ownership, authenticity, and the costs of devotion.

For contemporary readers, the work resonates as an inquiry into justice in times of fear and the ethics of advocacy when institutions are under strain. It foregrounds a woman of letters as a moral and practical agent, inviting reflection on voice, authority, and civic responsibility. Its scrutiny of public panic and swift judgments feels timely, while its attention to arts value beyond market exchange addresses ongoing debates about creativity and commodification. As an early and influential German-language crime narrative, it also offers a vantage point on the evolution of investigative storytelling, anticipating later developments in detective fiction without surrendering its Romantic sensibility.

The reading experience is richly textured: a carefully paced investigation punctuated by confidences, testimonies, and encounters that deepen character rather than merely advance plot. Hoffmanns style is elegant yet incisive, attentive to gesture and tone, and capable of conjuring both the warmth of a salon and the chill of a midnight street. The atmosphere is tense but humane, inviting readers to participate in weighing evidence alongside an unusually empathetic guide. Without revealing secrets, the novella promises a journey from glittering surfaces into the recesses of motive and responsibility, rewarding attention with suspense, moral complexity, and a lingering afterimage of light and shadow.

Synopsis

Table of Contents

Set in late seventeenth-century Paris under Louis XIV, a string of murders directed at gentlemen who wear costly jewels turns the city anxious and alert. Mademoiselle de Scuderi, an elderly poetess admired at court, becomes an unexpected figure at the center of events. Revered for moral clarity and elegant wit, she moves between royal audiences and bustling streets where fear feeds rumor. The lieutenant of police, La Reynie, labors to separate evidence from superstition, even as whispers about poisoners and clandestine sects spread. The narrative opens by fixing a climate of suspicion where luxury, vanity, and art make perilous lures.

A cryptic letter reaches Mlle de Scuderi, delivered clandestinely and hinting at knowledge of the crimes. The writer implores her understanding and proposes that accepting a jewel might preserve a life. Cautious yet compassionate, she consults trusted acquaintances and weighs the risks of involvement. Her counsel carries to the King and Madame de Maintenon, amplifying every step she takes. Meanwhile, police vigilance intensifies, suspecting the message may expose an organized band. The letter pulls Scuderi from spectator to participant, drawing her toward a zone where personal honor intersects with public safety and where words may influence the scales of justice.

One night, a veiled visitor appears at Scuderi’s residence, places an exquisite necklace in her hands, and vanishes into the darkness. The piece bears the unmistakable artistry of René Cardillac, Paris’s most celebrated goldsmith. The episode alarms the police and troubles the court, which fears manipulation and scandal. Scuderi remains measured and discreet, refusing to condemn unseen actors while recognizing the danger. Her prudence, joined to genuine sympathy for the unknown petitioner, keeps multiple explanations in play. As more attacks unsettle Paris, the recurring linkage between splendid ornaments and sudden violence becomes too pronounced for coincidence.

Amid heightened surveillance, a young man named Olivier Brusson is apprehended after a confused encounter suggests he approached Scuderi with hidden aims. Protesting innocence, he begs to speak with her. Under guard, he discloses ties to Cardillac’s household and to Madelon, the goldsmith’s daughter, whom he loves sincerely. His account is tentative, bound by promises and fear, yet it hints at pressures within the craftsman’s world. Impressed by his sincerity, Scuderi decides to investigate further. Convinced that haste could destroy a life ensnared by loyalty rather than malice, she seeks to keep judgment in suspense.

Scuderi visits the Cardillac home, where an atmosphere of discipline and pride surrounds the master’s illustrious work. Madelon’s quiet unease, the goldsmith’s exacting standards, and the household’s careful propriety suggest prosperity shadowed by strain. La Reynie follows leads among courtiers, clients, and informants, while the King demands resolution without public scandal. Courtly ceremony alternates with practical inquiry, showing how influence and rumor intersect with traceable facts. Scuderi’s stature allows her to petition for delay, preserving Olivier from immediate doom while she assembles a fuller picture. The narrative balances etiquette and evidence, feeling and law, in careful steps.

In carefully supervised interviews, Olivier outlines his path: apprenticeship, steadfast service, and a deepening bond with Madelon. He evokes uneasy nights when prized commissions sparked secrecy and temper. He describes an artist’s attachment to creations so intense it edges toward possession, and troubling coincidences linking notable jewels to later misfortune. Without naming names or breaking confidences, he sketches a setting where craft, desire, and danger converge. Scuderi discerns pattern in the confusion, suspecting that human motives, rather than sorcery or conspiracy, govern the crimes. The inquiry turns toward the workshop, the clientele, and the temptations of glittering perfection.

A decisive incident breaks the fragile equilibrium: a nocturnal struggle ends in a death that shocks Paris, and Olivier is found at the scene. Public impatience brands him guilty, but contradictions appear. Scuderi shields Madelon from hostility while La Reynie reexamines times, objects, and testimonies. Gossip contends with slow, careful scrutiny. The narrative tightens around pivotal questions: who possessed which jewel, at what moment, and by what right? Threads connect patrons, artisans, and victims, suggesting that ownership itself may conceal motive and method. With compassion but resolve, Scuderi presses for clarity before punishment fixes on a convenient target.

Discreet searches and quiet testimonies uncover a hidden sequence of exchanges, repayments, and reclaimed ornaments that recasts earlier assumptions. A concealed accumulation of treasures and unspoken bargains points toward a source nearer than most dared suspect, though the account withholds final names until due reckoning. Statements from clients and fellow craftsmen align, exposing the design behind the attacks. On this basis, authorities reassess their case against Olivier. Scuderi’s interventions emphasize fairness over haste, guiding the process from rumor toward substantiated fact. The stage is set for a resolution that acknowledges law, recognizes frailty, and separates guilt from mischance.

The conclusion restores order through evidence tempered by mercy. Olivier’s fate, Madelon’s security, and Scuderi’s conscience converge in a settlement shaped in chambers of power as much as courts of law. Paris gradually releases its fear; jewels return to the light with renewed caution. The story’s essential message emerges: true justice requires clear sight and compassion, and admiration for art becomes peril when devotion hardens into obsession. Mademoiselle de Scuderi withdraws from the affair mindful of its costs and duties, her moral authority intact. The city, chastened but steadied, steps back into ceremony, commerce, and guarded trust.

Historical Context

Table of Contents

E. T. A. Hoffmann sets Mlle de Scuderi in late seventeenth-century Paris, principally the 1670s–1680s, under the personal rule of Louis XIV. The city’s dense quarters—from the Marais and the Île de la Cité to the commercial bridges like the Pont-au-Change—are juxtaposed with the magnetic pull of Versailles, where the king centralized court life (the court formally moved there in 1682). Paris was being modernized by new policing and street lighting while remaining haunted by fears of sorcery, poison, and clandestine crime. Against this urban and courtly backdrop, real figures (Madeleine de Scudéry, La Reynie) and institutions (the Bastille, Place de Grève) anchor the narrative’s historical texture.

Absolutist centralization under Louis XIV (r. 1643–1715, personal rule from 1661) structured political life, ritual, and status. The monarchy staged power through spectacle—ceremonies, fêtes, and visible consumption—especially at Versailles, expanded in the 1660s and 1670s and made the permanent seat of the court in 1682. Royal favor, pensions, and access to the king determined careers for nobles, officials, and artists alike. This splendor intensified demand for luxury goods, including jewelry, which became tokens of rank and erotic exchange at court. Hoffmann mirrors this culture of display and desire: Cardillac’s incomparable jewelry, and the peril it attracts, crystallize the dangers lurking beneath courtly magnificence.