The Marquis de Sade and materialism : a reading into the unreadable

Abstract

The Marquis de Sade was, and remains, a complex and controversial figure. Critics have argued that Sade explored the very edges of literary and psychological boundaries only in order to outrage expectations. However, in this thesis I argue there is a consistent materialist philosophy running through his works, and to understand Sade it is necessary to understand the materialism within his context. I begin by tracing the ideas in his work back to the materialist philosophers Lucretius, La Mettrie, and d'Holbach. I then explore the political implications of Sade's materialism, and position his politics within the context of the French revolution. I then finish by positioning his sister novels Justine and Juliette as a response to the criticism of materialism articulated by Jacobi. Though, the ways Sade portrays his philosophy is quite simply horrifying, even to a modern reader, the ideas they portray reveal a unique and fascinating figure.

Date of Award	2017
Original language	English