Female Representation in Sino-French Cross-Cultural Adaptation: A Comparative Study from The Orphan of Zhao to LOrphelin de la Chine

In 1753, the renowned French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire adapted the 13th-century Chinese Yuan drama The Orphan of Zhao into the French play LOrphelin de la Chine. This article argues that although Princess Zhuang Jis suicide demonstrates a certain degree of female autonomy, her actions still conform to the Confucian ideals of female virtue and the duty of preserving the family bloodline. In contrast, Idam exhibits a strong sense of independence, embodying the combined influence of Confucian and Enlightenment thought. Her destiny is shaped by the interplay of both emotion and reason. This study also reveals how Voltaires adaptation integrates French cultural contexts into traditional Chinese Confucian virtuessuch as loyalty and sacrificewhile simultaneously exploring the evolution of female consciousness.