Exeter College alumna wins R. Gapper Undergraduate Prize

Exeter College alumna, Eve Coiley (2021, BA English and Modern Languages), has won the R. Gapper Undergraduate Prize. The prize is awarded annually by the Society for French Studies for the best essay submitted by an undergraduate student at a university in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. 

Eve won with her essay for the Paper XII Special Subject: Early Modern French Satire. Her essay responded to the question: ‘Toute considération générique mise à part, le texte satirique est profondément réfractaire à toute fin. Le problème du satiriste consiste donc à trouver une façon de terminer son texte’ (Sophie Duval and Marc Martinez).  

The Society for French Studies informed the College that ‘the field of entries was exceptionally strong, so this is a significant achievement.’ The judges praised the “vigour and conviction” of Eve’s essay, which they felt was “executed with an eloquence rare for any career stage.” One judge described it as a “tour de force” and “an utter joy to read.” 

The award includes a cash prize of £250, expenses-paid travel to the next annual conference of the Society for French Studies, and a mention in the French Studies Bulletin and on the Society’s website.  

Exeter College extends warm congratulations to Eve on this outstanding achievement.