Subversions religieuses au XVIIIème siècle : une exploration des représentations et des critiques religieuses dans la satire littéraire
Date
2025-05-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
This study examines how 18th century literary satire served as a tool for questioning religious dogma and challenging ecclesiastical authority. Through an analysis of major Enlightenment works including, Candide (Voltaire), Les lettres persanes (Montesquieu), La Religieuse (Diderot), and Le Neveu de Rameau (Diderot), this research highlights the subversive nature of satire in denouncing religious hypocrisy, clerical corruption, and the contradictions of dogmatic beliefs. The study adopts both a literary and historical approach to explore the stylistic devices employed by the authors such as, irony, parody, and caricature which allowed them to circumvent censorship while delivering a sharp critique of religious power. Moreover, the research situates the rise of satire within the intellectual and political transformations of the century, emphasizing its role in shaping a more rational and secular perception of faith. By demonstrating how satire contributed to destabilizing established norms and encouraging philosophical reflection, this study shows that 18th century satire was not merely a form of entertainment, but a key instrument in the evolution of modern thought.
Description
Keywords
Satire littéraire, Dogmes religieux, Critique ecclésiastique, Ironie, Subversion, Lumières, Hypocrisie religieuse and Censure
Citation
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Languages, Literatures, and Cultural Studies
Program
Languages