Du chat comique au chat paradisiaque dans les Mémoires du chevalier d’Arvieux

What is it about?

This article examines representations of cats in the “Orient” at the turn of the eighteenth century through a case study drawn from the Mémoires of Chevalier d’Arvieux, a French traveler best known for his experiences in the Ottoman Empire. Focusing on a representative episode, the study compares a manuscript version of the text with its later published version. This comparative analysis reveals how attitudes toward cats—and, more broadly, toward animals—were shaped by cultural encounters. Adopting an intercultural perspective, the article shows how the depiction of cats in an Eastern context challenges entrenched European perceptions. It highlights a subtle but significant transformation in sensibilities: a movement from traditional feline hostility (often rooted in medieval and early modern European culture) toward a more positive and empathetic appreciation of cats. Through this lens, the article explores how encounters with the “Other” could serve as a mirror, prompting Europeans to question their own cultural reflexes and assumptions.

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Why is it important?

This study contributes to several fields, including early modern travel literature, intercultural studies, and the history of emotions and human–animal relations. First, it sheds new light on the work of the Chevalier d’Arvieux by closely analyzing textual variations between manuscript and printed versions—an approach that reveals shifts not only in narrative strategy but also in cultural sensibility. Second, it demonstrates how representations of animals can function as indicators of broader intellectual and emotional transformations at a pivotal historical moment. The changing perception of cats reflects deeper evolutions in European thought at the dawn of modernity. Finally, the article underscores the importance of intercultural encounters in reshaping European identities. By observing how the “Oriental” attitude toward cats is portrayed, we gain insight into how cultural comparison could destabilize inherited prejudices and contribute to emerging forms of empathy and openness.

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