The Comtesse De Genlis' 'Théâtre À L'Usage Des Jeunes Personnes' (1779-1780): Educating for Order and Prejudice in Pre-Revolutionary France

This essay explores the educational contribution of the Comtesse de Genlis' "Théâtre à l'usage des jeunes personnes" ["Theatre of Education"] (1792/1779-1780), a four-volume collection of closet drama, in light of the social, political and cultural shifts occurring in France in the period prior to the French Revolution. In particular, in two plays from "Theatre of Education," "La Marchande de Modes" ["The Milliner"] and "Le Libraire" ["The Bookseller"], Genlis depicts the bourgeoisie's proper behaviour toward the aristocracy and its natural place in the world. Thus both plays exemplify the educational and the political role of Genlis, who attempts to tame the bourgeoisie through the twofold argument of proper education and effective parenthood, so as to keep alive the social order of the "ancien régime."