Chapter 30 - France and French Writing

Summary

Oliver Goldsmith’s knowledge of the language and literature of France is in evidence across his writing, traversing all genres embraced. In addition to his various engagements with translation work, French influences are in evidence right across Goldsmith’s journalism and essays, and are indeed omnipresent across his work. They are immediately apparent in his embracing of the sentimental novel with The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), and in his playwriting, with French idioms and expressions throughout She Stoops to Conquer (1773), for example, with clear similarities to contemporary French characters and style immediately evident, alongside the commentary and reflections on French culture and stereotypes. The influence of French writing by men upon Goldsmith’s work has long been recognized and dissected, with various authors held up for particular recognition of their influence. This chapter will also seek to highlight and explore the intersections with explicitly female French influences on Goldsmith’s work, as well as determining his own legacy amongst various women writers and translators. Particular attention will be paid to interconnections with Françoise de Graffigny (1695–1758), Mme de Montesson (1738–1806), and Marie-Jeanne Riccoboni (1713–92).