Analysis Of Grace King's 'La Grande Demoiselle'

Economic and social differences have caused tension in the United States throughout its history. Grace King’s short story “La Grande Demoiselle” is a third person narrative that describes the economic and social inconsistencies between the north and south. These inconsistencies are what ultimately led to the American Civil War. Set in New Orleans, the story recounts the life of a wealthy plantation owner’s daughter, Idalie Sainte Foy Mortemart des Islets, before and after the Civil War. During this era the northern states economy were industry based, where as the southern states economy were based on agriculture (Smith 203-204). This economic difference created a northern economy that had evolved into people of all cultures and classes

Her wealth and social status can be compared to the rich soils of the south. Like land acquired by plantation owners that possesses an abundant amount of nutrients capable of growing lush crops, Mademoiselle’s social status was hers only by birthright. She, like the plantation owners, did nothing to attain their wealth, they just happened to be the beneficiary of such riches. Hence, unlike the northern states who worked together to build factories and railroads to acquire wealth, the southern states relied on the richness of the land and slaves to maintain their social standing (Smith 203-204). They ignored industrial growth and changes to the social culture in the north. This disregard is evident when King writes Mademoiselle Idalie was so popular that even what she said was quoted “as much or more than the president said, or the governor thought.” (King 269). This parallels to how New Orleans was seen Pre-Civil War. New Orleans, referred to as “brilliant little world” by King, was the largest city in the South and was known for its wealth attained from the production of cotton (Winters 4). Like Mademoiselle Idalie, New Orleans’ prosperity was largely due to the hard work others, noticeably

However, it is hard to say whether Mademoiselle Idalie really possesses physical beauty? Since her beauty was only based on her wealth. King calls this “beauty of the rich” for Mademoiselle Idalie was mostly known for the expensive dresses and accessories she wore (King 269). Her clothes had buttons of “real gold and silver sometimes set with precious stones,” which showed the extravagance taste and the wasteful spending of the upper class. The zealous interest of upper society New Orleans of 1859 over the many heiresses of that time showed how the south considered escalating tension among the North and South considering slavery as a mere nuisance. Their extravagant spending and ways showed that they did not fear or have any concerns that their lifestyles and out of date ideas needed to be