Les Diaboliques (The She-Devils)

Barbey d'Aurevilly's exploration of guilt and evil feels deeply rooted in 19th-century French society. I wonder what personal or cultural influences shaped these intense themes.

The Victorian-era atmosphere heightened the story's dark mood. Did the period's social norms make the characters' actions feel more shocking or inevitable?

The supernatural feels like a reflection of the characters' inner demons. I'm curious whether this was meant to symbolize their psychological states or serve as literal forces.