L’Ève Future: a work of art metaphysics

Abstract

The novel L’Ève Future (1886) by the French writer Villiers de L’Isle- Adam is an important piece of symbolism and opposed to artistic forms of realism and naturalism. This is an extensive and complex work, which presents issues dear to the writer. Different genres can be distinguished in the novel of the late nineteenth century, however The Future Eve is distinguished from its contemporaneous Romanesque productions. The novel can be associated with the decadent novel by the cult of the artificial, and the advance science fiction novel, and by the evocation of Edison’s inventions. Not only can it be considered a fantastic or science fiction narrative, because there is the creation of an artificial woman with the purpose of replacing the real woman, but also a philosophical work as it reflects on the appearance and the essence of beings. In an unusual and ironic style, Villiers raises questions regarding the true illusion and reality, reflecting on the human condition.