George Sand Mauprat The Relationship between Edmée and Bernard

This paper examines how Edmée in George Sand’s Mauprat, influenced by Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Émile, assumes the dual role of teacher and mother, thereby enabling Bernard’s development. In Mauprat Bernard grows, by owing to Edmée’s love. For this reason, Mauprat is often studied along with the educational theories of Émile, and a discussion of Mauprat’s themes often include a discussion on the role of an educator. However, Edmée’s role in Bernard’s life is not only that of an educator but also of a mother. Therefore, this paper examines how Edmée is influenced by Émile in her two roles as educator and mother in Mauprat. Though Edmée uses the educational theory of Émile to educate Bernard, she herself contrasts with Rousseau’s ideal woman. The reason for this is the education she received as a child and the Mauprat family lineage. Her mother died when she was very young, and she was raised by her father, priest Aubert, and philosopher Patiance without being bound by social norms. She is also very brave, having inherited the fierce temperament of the Mauprat clan. Therefore, Edmée is not a woman subservient to men, but an independent individual who is not dependent on them. Bernard praises her as “one of the most perfect women in France.” Such perfection fulfills the qualities of an educator as described by Rousseau, who states that an educator one must be perfect as a human being. For Bernard to grow, Edmée assumes the role of Bernard's teacher. She adapts and applies the educational theory presented in Émile. In Mauprat, the educational method differs from that of Émile in many ways. This is because Mauprat highlights the importance of experience and a more practical pedagogy. Therefore, Edmée puts the educational theory of Émile into practice with the priests and experiences repeated failures and successes. Furthermore, Edmée acts as Bernard's mother. This is not only because of her innate maternal qualities but also because he needs the nurturing. At the time, a new model of motherhood was becoming popular in France. Émile significantly contributed to that. The model entailed the mother take full responsibility for her child’s development. In particular, a mother’s discipline was deemed necessary for a child's moral development. To help Bernard, whose mother had died when he was a child, grow not only intellectually but also spiritually, Edmée guides him like a mother.