Francophone women coming of age : memoirs of childhood and adolescence from France, Africa, Quebec and the Caribbean

This book began as a panel of University professors on the theme of Francophone Women, Coming of Age, Memoirs of Childhood and Adolescence, presented at the Northeast Modern Language Association Convention in Philadelphia, 2006. The essays center on the plight of growing up female in male-dominated Francophone cultures. Issues of culture, tradition, religion (Catholic and Muslim), parental conflicts and sibling rivalry are addressed in the works of authors from France, Quebec, Africa and the Caribbean. Authors whose memoirs and fiction are analyzed in this study span three continents Europe, North America (Quebec and the Caribbean) and Africa but they share a common search for identity and self-definition. Dr. Beth Gale (Clark University) analyzes role-play and the use of language in the works of Annie Ernaux (France) and Assia Djebar (North Africa). Post-colonial angst and cross-cultural misunderstanding are the focus of the study of Aminata Sow Fall s Douceurs du bercail (Senegal, West Africa) by Dr. Natalie Edwards (Wagner College). Two chapters focus on Caribbean authors, from Guadeloupe: Dr. Debra Popkin (Baruch College CUNY) analyzes Gisèle Pineau s special relationship with grandmother who gave her a sense of cultural identity; Dr. Leah Tolbert Lyons (Middle Tennessee State University) discusses the negative impact of the bad mothering in Myriam Warner-Vieyra s first novel, As the Sorcerer Said ... Three chapters are devoted to writers from French-speaking Canada: Dr. Myrna Delson-Karan (St. John s University) traces the portraits of children and adolescents in the works of Gabrielle Roy; Dr. Pascale Vergereau-Dewey (Kutztown University, Pennsylvania) explores the tormented childhood of Marie-Claire Blais s Pauline Archange; Dr. Edith B. Vandervoort (Defense Language Institute in Monterey) examines the search for identity and tortured father-daughter relationships in the novels of Gabrielle Gourdeau, Monique Proulx, and Marie Laberge (contemporary writers from Quebec), The seven chapters in this book explore the challenges faced by women from late 19th century through the 20th and into the 21st century as they gradually gained a voice to express their changing roles in society. Themes to be examined include sexual awakening, teenage pregnancy, and the rituals of coming of age. Conflicts occur between daughter and parents who inculcate traditional values and try to restrict their child's freedom. The importance of writing as a source of liberation and self-definition will be explored in light of the young girl s quest for freedom. Why write memoirs? Why write in French? These issues are discussed especially in cases where French is the language of the colonizer (Assia Djebar and Gisèle Pineau) or where French is essential to the preservation of one s cultural identity, as it is for Quebec writers. This book will be a fine resource for college and university professors and students in programs of French, Women's Studies, and French/Francophone Literature as well as African, Caribbean, and Quebec Studies. This Book Began As A Panel Of University Professors On The Theme Of Francophone Women, Coming Of Age, Memoirs Of Childhood And Adolescence, Presented At The Northeast Modern Language Association Convention In Philadelphia, 2006. The Essays Center On The Plight Of Growing Up Female In Male-dominated Francophone Cultures. Issues Of Culture, Tradition, Religion (catholic And Muslim), Parental Conflicts And Sibling Rivalry Are Addressed In The Works Of Authors From France, Quebec, Africa And The Caribbean. Authors Whose Memoirs And Fiction Are Analyzed In This Study Span Three Continents{u2013}{u2013}europe, North America (quebec And The Caribbean) And Africa{u2013}{u2013}but They Share A Common Search For Identity And Self-definition. -- Ch. 1. Multiple Identities As Adolescent Coping Mechanism In Annie Ernaux's Les Armoires Vides And Assia Djebar's L'amour, La Fantasia / Beth Gale -- Ch. 2. An Absent Presence: Adolescence And The Inadequate Female Role Model In Myriam Warner-vieyra's Le Quimboiseur L'avait Dit ... As The Sorcer Said ... / Leah Tolber Lyons -- Ch. 3. Growing Up With Julia: Gisèle Pineau And Her Grandmother, A Caribbean Girl's Journey To Self-discovery / Debra Popkin -- Ch. 4. La Terre Ne Ment Pas: Aminata Sow Fall's Douceurs Du Bercail As Bildungsroman / Natalie Edwards -- Ch. 5. Temale Portraits Of Childhood And Adolescence In Selected Works Of Gabrielle Roy / Myrna Delson-karan -- Ch. 6. Salvation Through Writing In Marie-claire Blais' Manuscrits De Pauline Archange / S. Pascale Vergereau-dewey -- Ch. 7. Female Adolescence In Quebec's Post-quiet Revolution Novels: Gabrielle Gourdeay's L'écho Du Silence, Monique Proulx's Le Sexe Des étoiles, And Marie Laberge's Annabelle / Edith B. Vandervoort. Edited By Debra Popkin. The Present Study Began As A Panel Of Papers Presented At A Session On The Theme Of Coming Of Age, The Quest For Identity In Francophone Women Writers, Organized And Chaired By Professor Debra Popkin, At The Nemla (northeast Modern Language Association) Annual Conference In Philadelphia In March 2006. The Papers Were Expanded And Additional Contributors Joined The Project ...--p. [1]. Includes Abstracts. Includes Bibliographical References. TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 ABSTRACTS 8 INTRODUCTION 14 CHAPTER ONE 16 CHAPTER TWO 31 CHAPTER THREE 47 CHAPTER FOUR 64 CHAPTER FIVE 76 CHAPTER SIX 92 CHAPTER SEVEN 110 CONTRIBUTORS 127