Naughty Girl, or Not a Girl? Behavior and Becoming in Les Malheurs de Sophie

Abstract

Abstract This study presents a critical analysis of the classic nineteenth-century French children’s novel Les Malheurs de Sophie, written by the Comtesse de Ségur. The story follows the misadventures of a mischievous little girl in order to highlight the consequences of her naughty behavior and provide a counter-example for Ségur’s young female readers. In this article, Mangerson draws upon scholarship in both queer theory and early childhood psychology to demonstrate that Sophie’s inappropriate behavior can be interpreted by the modern reader as evidence of gender fluidity. Mangerson examines Sophie’s misuse of gender-specific toys, her curiosity to explore forbidden spaces, and her failure to conform to her peers. This study argues that this “naughty girl” is perhaps “not a girl,” and that her behavior is indicative of the process of gender identity formation, which is strongly influenced by socio-historical constructs of femininity.