Constituting Gender in 18th Century Literature

Abstract

Owing to its leading literary role and a central “technology of gender,” the 18th century novel plays an important role in forming and transmitting concepts of gender. Using three 18th century novels as basis for investigation, Richter shows how the production of seemingly consistent gender identities in literary texts always appears in conjunction with the de-authorization of the female protagonists, their degradation as objects of knowledge, lust, violence, and eventually their murder. Judging by the portrayal and construction of women in these novels, the 18th century was a deeply troubled as well as troubling époque as far as gender are concerned.