The Marquis Returns

Yes it is true, Le Marquis de Sade retourne encore une fois, une douce philosophe en effet. Ah bien, in the book that I have read, Mimesis on the Move: Theodor W. Adorno's Concept of Imitation by Karla L. Schultz, the author includes her adaptation of Adorno's theory of mimesus, and in chapter two of the book, brings about the relationship between mimesis and Le Marquis de Sade's book: Justine.

In Sade's book, the protagonist (a woman) is a "pseudo-subject historically without power. As such she is ideal material for education. Trained in the image of a real [male] subject, whose identity has hardened and little left to learn, she functions as the brilliant reflection of his success. While his mimesis has become limited by his subjectivity, hers is still free to repeat the process of his 'progress' albeit with an important distinction: where he once learned by identifying with the 'power' of nature, she now learns by identifying with the power of his reason" (Mimesis on the Move p.83). With the formation of this character, we begin to see her attachment to Sade directly, she begins to become similar to him in real life, becoming a sadist in every way, she becomes Sades image of the opposite sex in the novel, becoming enveloped in taking pleasure in tormenting others. Such is perverse, but it is also notable that the protagonist in this case mimics her tutor, and goes above his capacities in life, and her surrounding nature.