LE SOURIRE FRANÇAIS DE POE : POE ET SES CONTES HUMORISTIQUES DANS LA PRESSE EN FRANCE – 1875-1899

Abstract

During the nineteenth century critics and researchers of Edgar Poe, much as they still do today, often focused solely on the tales of ratiocination, horror, and science, particularly through the study of the translations of Baudelaire, which were written over only ten years. We aim to illuminate those unknown or underappreciated French translations of Poe published between 1875-1899, with strict attention to translations of his humour tales and their overall importance in his works. Following the period studied by Lémonnier (1845-1875), we will examine references to Poe in French periodicals and his particular use of humour to better understand the reactions of contemporary critics and the ideations that were made of him. Lastly, an individual analysis of the humor tales translated by Catulle Mendès, Émile Hennequin, Emmanuel Lageon, and Félix Rabbe is presented to examine how such ideations manifest or are repressed.