The Society of Dix-Neuviémistes is delighted to announce that the winners of the 2024 Postgraduate Prize is:

Ellamae Lepper (University of Cambridge)
Veiling and Unveiling Violence: What the Salon Obscures in Balzac’s Autre étude de femme

The reviewers remarked that Ellamae’s essay was ‘a really excellent piece: theoretically sophisticated, elegantly argued, and impressively original. […] [I]t is a fantastic paper.’

‘This is a richly theoretical and well-supported argument from a student who locates their position effectively in contrast and concert with other scholars. The major strength of this work is indeed its main aim in reconsidering the role and power dynamics at work in nineteenth-century salon culture and particularly in a Balzac text which is at first glance superficial and self-plagiarised. The author highlights new ground and new arguments clearly and concisely.’

The Society is pleased to be able to award the winner a cash prize of £150. Warmest congratulations to Ellamae!