RUcore Resource Object
RUcore Resource Object
TitleL’écriture du génocide dans les littéraures africaine et caribéenne d’expression française
NameWattara, Mamadou F. (author), Larrier, Renée (chair), Allamand, Carole (internal member), Alidou, Ousseina (outside member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - New Brunswick,
Degree Date2011-05
Date Created2011
SubjectFrench,
Genocide in literature,
Genocide--Rwanda,
Genocide--Haiti,
Genocide—Sociological aspects
DescriptionEvil is too often perceived in Manichean terms as the opposite of good. However literature has the potential to offer a more nuanced approach to the issue, especially
when treating accounts of genocide and mass atrocities. The focus will be on specific ways in which literature can bring to light the complexity of the reality of genocide, including victims’ reactions to the violence. Whereas it only takes but an instant for evil to manifest itself in a society, it often takes many generations to overcome its many consequences and to heal the invisible wounds. Of interest here are literary
manifestations of this process of healing. In genocide studies, evil is understood as embedded in the perpetrator’s very intent—to wipe out the victim’s entire family line, including women, children, and the elderly. This intent is what distinguishes genocide from conventional war and offers the justification of referring to it as “absolute evil.” Approaching a literary text
through the theoretical tools provided by postcolonial, genocide, and trauma studies can articulate the complex and multi-faceted nature of historical events considered evil, including how both individuals and societies react to forms of collective violence. Using a comparative analysis of novels and films dealing with Rwanda and Haiti this study will consider how literature can bear witness to genocide, reveal the incommensurable human suffering that it causes, and reveal the psychological impact on individuals and the societies in which they live. Furthermore special
attention is given to exploring ways in which oral testimonies can challenge and subvert conventional historical representations.
when treating accounts of genocide and mass atrocities. The focus will be on specific ways in which literature can bring to light the complexity of the reality of genocide, including victims’ reactions to the violence. Whereas it only takes but an instant for evil to manifest itself in a society, it often takes many generations to overcome its many consequences and to heal the invisible wounds. Of interest here are literary
manifestations of this process of healing. In genocide studies, evil is understood as embedded in the perpetrator’s very intent—to wipe out the victim’s entire family line, including women, children, and the elderly. This intent is what distinguishes genocide from conventional war and offers the justification of referring to it as “absolute evil.” Approaching a literary text
through the theoretical tools provided by postcolonial, genocide, and trauma studies can articulate the complex and multi-faceted nature of historical events considered evil, including how both individuals and societies react to forms of collective violence. Using a comparative analysis of novels and films dealing with Rwanda and Haiti this study will consider how literature can bear witness to genocide, reveal the incommensurable human suffering that it causes, and reveal the psychological impact on individuals and the societies in which they live. Furthermore special
attention is given to exploring ways in which oral testimonies can challenge and subvert conventional historical representations.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
NoteIncludes vita
Noteby Mamadou F. Wattara
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10001600001.ETD.000061537
Languagefre
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.