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War in French Literature

War in French Literature

Publié le par Florian Pennanech (Source : Philippa Kim)

41th Anniversary Convention, Northeast Modern Languages Association (NeMLA). April 7-11, 2010. McGill University, Montréal

War has played a most significant part in the human experience from Antiquity to the present. Likewise it has been encapsulated in many works of French Literature, from the very beginning until the most recent times. From the "Chanson de Roland" to "Syngué Sabor" (Prix Goncourt 2008), French literature encompasses at its core the representation of war and its enduring, albeit devastating effects on human life. From the crusades to the war in Afghanistan, humans are confronted with war and are often called upon to validate or reject it outright based on political, ethical or religious grounds.

This panel proposes to examine questions focusing on the various representations of war in French Literature, from the Middle Ages to the present. How have wars changed in the ways in which they are fought? What are the rationales put forth to wage war? Is there still such a thing as a just war? What are the impacts of war on men who fight as opposed to innocent bystanders, casually refered to as collateral damage? How have women dealt with war? These are some examples of the questions that will guide our inquiry and that this panel will reflect upon.

 

Topics of discussion may include, but are not limited to:

- Civil war

- Religious war

- City siege

- Atomic warfare

- Genocide

- The aftermath of war

- Colonial war

-War of Independence

-War and peace

 

Abstracts should be addressed to Lison Baselis-Bitoun (lbaselis@fas.harvard.edu) and Philippa Kim (jpkim@bmcc.cuny.edu).