Les années folles: le roman français dans les années 20

Catalog description

This course explores social aspects of the French novel in the 1920s that have earned this period between the two world wars the name "Les Années Folles." We will first focus on the liberation of women, frivolity, sexual ambiguity and conceptions of love at the time. We will then discuss the demobilized writers, whose disarray, procrastination, suicidal tendency are the characteristics of a generation disillusioned by a society that no longer offers exciting prospects. Our meetings will also be punctuated by reflections on new autobiography as well as on new narrative techniques illustrated by the studied works. Prerequisite: a course at the 600- or 700-level or equivalent proficiency. Contact the instructor to verify your proficiency if you have not taken French at Brown. Taught in French.