French Literature Reviews - 2026
Y. Foehr-Janssens, La Jeune fille et l'amour. Pour une poétique courtoise de l'évasion
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Review published in Acta Fabula: "Portraits of Fugitive Maidens: A Rereading of 12th-Century Courtly Narratives" by Vanessa Obry.
Yasmine Foehr-Janssens, La Jeune Fille et l'amour. Pour une poétique courtoise de l'évasion
Paris: Droz, coll. "Publications Romanes et Françaises", 2010.
Price: 37.95 EUR.
EAN: 9782600013918.
Publisher's overview:
How can we conceptualize a history of romantic love centred on the young girl as an independent literary character, set against the backdrop of the romances of Tristan or Lancelot? This study seeks to capture, reading between the lines of the erotic game of *fin'amor*, the contours of this youthful female figure and, above all, her emotional stirrings. Unlike the courtly lady constrained by the duties of her high status, the maiden or young demoiselle, drawn to the illusions of love, enjoys a semblance of freedom—if such a term can be applied to the strict obligation of innocence and reserve imposed upon her. In 12th-century French romance, rather than expected stereotypes, we witness the emergence of a rich variety of often elusive figures who sketch, like a series of snapshots, the portrait of a literary creation in motion. The young girl in love performs a furtive dance that evokes her desire for escape and her hope for a kindred love. It is a waltz with the absolute that swiftly carries her beyond the boundaries of her precarious social standing.
The study focuses on the literary representation of the young maiden within the tradition of 12th-century French romance, a genre defined by the complexities of fin'amor. While courtly literature often emphasizes the established lady bound by social duty, this work shifts the perspective toward the younger female character. By examining the tension between the expectations of innocence and the maiden's emotional stirrings, the text highlights how these figures navigate their social standing through a pursuit of romantic ideals.
This analysis situates these characters within the broader evolution of medieval narrative, where the young girl emerges as a distinct literary subject. Rather than adhering to static stereotypes, the maiden is portrayed as a figure in motion whose actions reflect a desire for an absolute form of love. Readers interested in the history of gender roles and the development of characterization in medieval literature may find this study relevant.