A Perspective aesthetic-political about nature and violence in Justine or the misfortunes of virtue by Marquis de Sade

Abstract

 Justine or the misfortunes of virtue, of Marquis de Sade, represents the homonymous character's saga, a virtuous christian who goes through failures and misadventures, suffering sexual abuse and being unjustly accused of several crimes. However the romance gains distinction by criticizing the rationalist philosophy of the 18^th century, highly linked to the mankind's innate kindness. Sade also criticizes the Christianity that preaches suffering and constant penance as guarantees of entrance in the heavenly kingdom. By doing this double criticism, the writer elaborates a crucial counter-current's masterpiece to the Zeitgeist he lived through. In this article we’ll reflect on the thinking systems that emanates from Sade's work: the aggressive and indifferent nature to the ethical systems and the instinctive life which civil society suppresses. In what way such schemes represents Sade’s ironic laughter towards the enlightenment revolution of his era? We will understand as well how the women, victimized, moves in his aggressive path. It’s certified that the author makes his protagonist a parody of the sentimental young woman and by allowing her to fall in every trap, he highlights two aspects: the caricature of the romantic heroine as a way of criticizing the speech of kindness and virtuosity, and the complaint that the christian pastorate has a cruel side, maintainer of a status quo of those socially oppressed.