Ourika
1823
Ourika is an 1823 novella by Claire de Duras that tells the story of a young Senegalese girl raised in France after being freed from slavery. The narrative explores her struggles with identity and isolation as she grapples with the prejudices of a predominantly white society. As she matures, Ourika becomes increasingly aware of her status as a black woman, leading to profound feelings of longing and despair, particularly in her unrequited love for Charles, her adoptive family's grandson. Notably, it is the first French literary work narrated by a black female protagonist and addresses themes of race relations and social exclusion.
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“But the amusement that comes from watching people make fools of themselves isn't good. There's too much malice in it to please a heart more in key with simple joys. One can feel a mocking gaiety and still remain miserable. I think unhappiness may even engender such feelings. Sour pleasures feed off sour hearts.””
— Claire de Durfort, duchesse de Duras
“He believed me, and I was overwhelmed by bitterness when I saw that he did. My tears stopped; I told myself that it was quite easy to deceive those whose interest lay elsewhere.””
— Claire de Durfort, duchesse de Duras
“I was ungrateful to Providence by not being happy; and, yet, does happiness always result from the gifts of intelligence? I tend to believe the contrary: one must pay for the gift of knowledge by wishing not to know...””
— Claire de Durfort, duchesse de Duras
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Claire de Durfort, duchesse de Duras. Ourika. Lex, lex-books.com/book/ourika-d36961cc-7041-4ddd-9cba-d92e8f8c049e.Claire de Durfort, D. D. D. (1823). Ourika. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/ourika-d36961cc-7041-4ddd-9cba-d92e8f8c049eClaire de Durfort, duchesse de Duras. Ourika. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/ourika-d36961cc-7041-4ddd-9cba-d92e8f8c049e.
