Mme. Hecquet
Histoire d'une jeune fille sauvage trouvée dans les bois à l'âge de dix ans
"Histoire d'une jeune fille sauvage trouvée dans les bois à l'âge de dix ans" is a historical account published in the mid-18th century. The narrative revolves around the young girl, Marie-Angelique Memmie le Blanc, who is discovered living in the wild after having been separated from human society. The account explores her life before her discovery, her capture, and subsequent adaptation to civilization, highlighting themes of nature, innocence, and the clash between wild and civilized life. The opening of the narrative introduces the young girl, who enters a village near Châlons en Champagne, dressed in rags, with a wild appearance that frightens the locals. She bravely defends herself against a fierce dog, showcasing her strength and survival instincts. Captured by locals and taken to the Château of M. d'Epinoy, the girl displays wild behaviors and a preference for raw foods, illustrating the stark contrast between her past life in the woods and her new, structured environment. The narrative hints at her journey from savagery to a semblance of civility, intertwined with observations about her physical characteristics and instincts that set the stage for her further development and the exploration of her mysterious origins.