La Parisienne

work by Becque

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July 1, 2026

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"La Parisienne" is a play by French dramatist Henry-François Becque, first performed in 1885. The play caused a scandal due to its subject matter, which dealt with a married woman and her two lovers. Becque's work, characterized by its focus on character and motivation rather than intricate plots, was considered a challenge to the popular "well-made plays" of his era. Although not immediately recognized for its importance, "La Parisienne," like Becque's masterpiece "Les Corbeaux," gained appreciation about a decade after its initial appearance. Becque is seen as a forerunner of the Naturalist movement in literature.1

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Henry-François Becque
La Parisienne (1885; Parisienne, 1943) scandalized the public by its treatment of the story of a married woman and her two lovers. Its importance, like that of Les Corbeaux, was not recognized until a decade after its appearance. In his last years, a withdrawn and…
Read More
La Parisienne (1885; Parisienne, 1943) scandalized the public by its treatment of the story of a married woman and her two lovers. Its importance, like that of Les Corbeaux, was not recognized until a decade after its appearance. In his last years, a withdrawn and…
Read More