The Princesse de Cleves Literary Elements

Novel

The book was written in the middle of the 16th century.

Third-person narrative

Sad, suspicious, intriguing, paradoxical

The protagonist of the novel is Madame de Clèves (Mademoiselle de Chartres)

The major conflict is when Prince of Cleves falls in love with Madame de Clèves but realizes that her proud mother cannot approve cannot support the marriage because he is not the eldest son of the Duke of Nevers.

The climax comes when the Duke of Nevers dies, and Prince of Cleves manages to marry Madame de Clèves.

The romanticism between Madame de Clèves and the Prince of Cleves is foreshadowed by Madame’s strict upbringing, an attribute required for one to qualify as a princess.

Madame de Chartres’ love for her daughter is understated when at first, she refuses the marriage between Prince of Cleves and Mademoiselle de Chartres. Madame de Chartres wanted the best for her daughter.

The story alludes to Madame de Clèves love experiences with the Prince of Cleves and the Duke of Nemours.

The novel’s setting is enhanced through sight imagery. For instance, the author writes, “This Prince was amorous and handsome, and though his passion for Diana of Poitiers Duchess of Valentinois, was of above twenty years standing, it was not the less violent, nor did he give less distinguishing proofs of it.”

The main paradox is when Madame de Chartres creates false stories about the Duke of Nemours intentionally to put off her daughter from his romantic advances.

The Duke of Nerver’s disapproval of Mademoiselle de Chartres as his daughter in law parallels Madame de Chartres’ early assumptions about the Prince of Cleves.

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