The Shadow of Great Britain

Speaking of George Sand, this recently rising female writer is well-known in the Paris literary scene.

Of course, part of the reason is that her works are indeed commendable, but it is well known that mere reliance on works rarely causes such a stir in France.

As a writer, if you want to stand out in Paris, either become a leading political figure like Chateaubriand, Thiers, and Hugo, or be like Great Dumas, Vini, and Balzac, with plenty of anecdotes for people to talk about.

And George Sand clearly belongs to the latter category.

Her place in the French literary world is not solely based on ”Indiana” and ”Lelia.”

When it comes to this female writer, what people discuss most is not her works, but her peculiar habits.

According to Christianity, men cannot wear women’s clothes, nor can women wear men’s clothes.

Of course, times have changed. In the 19th century, women, for reasons of health, profession, or horse riding, sometimes chose to wear pants. But even so, be it in London or Paris, ladies like George Sand, who wear men’s clothing daily, are still rare.

”Portrait of George Sand” painted by French artist Charles Louis Gracia in 1835.

Even more unacceptable to gentlemen and ladies is that George Sand not only wears men’s clothes but also smokes in public, completely lacking the gentle demeanor expected of women. Moreover, she not only smokes herself but encourages many friends to follow her example.

Thus, even the open-minded Hugo, when asked about George Sand, had to tactfully reply: ”George Sand herself cannot distinguish whether she is a man or woman. I hold profound respect for all my peers, but whether she should be considered my sister or brother is not for me to decide.”

Of course, although traditional views find it hard to accept George Sand’s behavior, this is, after all, Paris, not some provincial place.

Therefore, opinions on George Sand’s actions are mixed, much like the varying support rates between the Orleans Party, Bonaparte Party, Republican Party, and Orthodox Party.

Those who support her mostly praise George Sand for her open-mindedness and resistance against conservative social prejudices.

As for those who criticize her, the reasons are varied. Among these reasons, criticisms of her wearing men’s clothing, smoking cigars, and allegedly corrupting social morals probably account for about seventy percent, while the remaining thirty percent mostly relate to George Sand’s sexual orientation.

Although she married at eighteen, she left her husband nine years later and ventured into Paris alone. Two years ago, she formally reached a separation agreement with her husband, since then living completely independently.

Speaking of George Sand’s male friends, they include writers like Sando, Musset, Mérimée as well as actors like Bocage and nobles of Polish ancestry from Russia like Prince Pulzarnovsky.

Although her private life is chaotic, after all, this is Paris; whose private life in Paris isn’t?

But what George Sand should not have done is that she not only played with men but why did she also have to be involved with women?

Getting involved with women is one thing, but she had to pursue those who already have partners.

For instance, the well-known actress Dovar, who once stirred jealousy between Vini and Great Dumas, became one of her targets.

George Sand wrote to Mary Dovar: ”I won’t see you today, dear. I have so little joy. Monday, morning or evening, at the theater or in your bed, I must come to kiss you, madam, or I will go mad. I work like a convict, this is my reward. Goodbye, beautiful among all.”

Dovar’s reply was just as passionate: ”You are naughty, I am looking forward to having you at my little place all evening. Soon, dinner at five and then we’ll go away together. Let’s look, touch. I watched you all night yesterday, I looked at you, without seeing your eyes. You look like a jerk. Tomorrow morning I will come to see you. I am not home tonight. My God, what wish do I have to say this! So, do we never persist?”

And when Vini found out that George Sand was intruding on his territory, he was furious and called George Sand a ”damned lesbian,” and warned her to stay away from Dovar or she’d be run out of Paris.

Although George Sand did not completely end the relationship, she did tone it down a bit after receiving Vini’s warning.

Besides, she had other relationships to handle at the same time, such as her interactions with writer Musset and lawyer Louis Michel.

But soon, she turned her attention to another target, Countess Mary de Dagu, the lover of Liszt.

It’s just that Mary seemingly wasn’t interested in same-sex relationships, and she was deeply infatuated with Liszt, so she only regarded George Sand as a close confidante. She shared everything with George Sand, including details about falling in love with Liszt and eloping with him.

Thus, when George Sand found out that Mary wasn’t interested in her, feelings of jealousy and resentment took over. She wanted to retaliate against Mary, which might have inspired her to leak details of ”Beatrice” to her friend Balzac, prompting him to publish such a novel.