Marquis de Sade
This most joyous of de Sade’s works follows three aristocrats as they indoctrinate Eugénie de Mistival in 'the principles of the most outrageous libertinism.' First published in 1795, 'Philosophy in the Bedroom' is a story told strictly through dialogue which displays Sade’s philosophy on libertinage through the sexual education for young Eugenie while revealing a woman’s role in the bedroom. The book gives the reader a very blunt and detailed description of what a woman’s role should be in the bedroom. Detailed description of sexual acts shows how sex was seen more as a means of pleasure rather than reproduction. This definitely goes against social norms at this time in history and offers us a different look on sex than we have seen so far in this class. Despite the fact of very open and pleasurable-seeking sex, Sade’s story clearly shows what a woman’s role should be during sexual intercourse behind closed doors alongside showing their value in society.
