ABSTRACT
In his preface to Monsieur Venus, Maurice Barres suggests that: "Rachilde's imagination smells of death". Eliante Donalger's various juggling performances reveal that death is a predominant theme in La Jongleuse and is linked with sexuality. This chapter shows how black is the colour most often associated with death linked to sexuality. Rachilde's heroine draws on the symbolism associated with the white dress to convince Leon that she is completely his; indeed, this is her most convincing act. Rachilde's use of imagery clearly represents the assumption that sexual desire and death are intimately connected. Rachilde's La Jongleuse challenges the expected sexual position of women and creates a heroine who enriches the changing view of women, while presenting her destructive potential. Suicide can be interpreted here as Eliante's last reckless act of freedom; a desperate attempt to show society's ignorance of woman's social autonomy. In death, Eliante is able to bring fresh life into a world that she has chosen to leave.
