Revolutionary Bodies Gender, Power, and the Public Sphere in Eighteenth-Century France
Date of Award
2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Harvey, David
Keywords
Gender, French Revolution, Public Sphere
Area of Concentration
History
Abstract
This thesis is an exploration of the changing concept of gender in eighteenth-century France and the ramifications for women in the French Revolution, regarding their ability to appear publicly and participate in politics. The focus of this thesis will be the violence directed at public women during the Revolution and how it formed out of Enlightenment philosophy and the theories of Rousseau as well as physicians theorizing on the limitations of the sexes. I maintain that specific theories on female nature were utilized by the radical Jacobin revolutionaries to justify the expulsion of women from the political public sphere.
Recommended Citation
Freeny, Erin, "Revolutionary Bodies Gender, Power, and the Public Sphere in Eighteenth-Century France" (2005). Theses & ETDs. 3520.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3520