Postambule Analysis: Women's Status Before and After the French Revolution
Olympe de Gouges presents a critical examination of women's roles and rights in pre-revolutionary France and argues for fundamental changes in their status following the French Revolution. Her postambule to the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen serves as a powerful critique of the old system and a call for genuine equality.
Highlight: The author's main argument is that the French Revolution, while promising change, has not yet significantly improved women's status in society.
De Gouges begins with a provocative statement: "Les femmes ont fait plus de mal que de bien" (Women have done more harm than good). This assertion, contrary to her feminist stance, is designed to shock and engage the reader. She then elaborates on the paradoxical power women held in the Ancien Régime.
Example: De Gouges describes how women used cunning to regain what force had taken from them, wielding influence through "poison" and "iron" in contrast to men's overt use of strength.
The author emphasizes the extent of women's unofficial power, noting that they commanded "toutes les ressources de l'esprit" (all the resources of the mind) and that even the most irreproachable man could not resist their influence. This power, however, was exercised in the shadows, as evidenced by the phrase "administration nocturne des femmes" (nocturnal administration of women).
Vocabulary: "Administration nocturne" refers to the behind-the-scenes influence women exerted on government and society, often through romantic or sexual relationships with powerful men.
De Gouges then transitions to criticizing the Ancien Régime as a whole, stating that "tout était vicieux, tout était coupable" (everything was vicious, everything was guilty). She questions whether the Revolution has truly brought improvement, highlighting the uncertainty of women's new position in society.
Quote: "Mais ne pourrait-on pas apercevoir l'amélioration des choses dans la substance même des vices?" (But couldn't we perceive the improvement of things in the very substance of vices?)
The author contrasts the old system, where a woman needed only to be beautiful or agreeable to make her fortune, with the new era where reason and philosophy should reign. She argues that the "commerce des femmes" (trade in women) should no longer have credit in the new society.
Definition: "Commerce des femmes" refers to the system where women's value was primarily based on their physical attributes and ability to charm men, often for financial gain.
De Gouges concludes by highlighting the precarious position of women who have relied on their charms but now find themselves without resources in their old age. She poses a rhetorical question: "pourquoi n'a-t-elle pas su faire fortune?" (why didn't she know how to make a fortune?), emphasizing the unfairness of judging women for not securing their futures when they were given no legitimate means to do so.
Highlight: The author's final argument underscores the need for systemic change to provide women with legal and social equality, rather than forcing them to rely on manipulation and charm for survival and advancement.
Through this postambule, Olympe de Gouges effectively demonstrates that the French Revolution, while promising liberty and equality, has not yet extended these principles to women. She calls for a fundamental reevaluation of women's roles and rights, advocating for a society where reason and merit, not beauty or wealth, determine one's place and opportunities.
