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Reflection on the literary representation of mother-daughter relationships.

Acquisition of the necessary skills to compose a scholarly text in French (as a preparation for the diploma thesis)

The course questions mother figures and mother-daughter relationships depicted in literary works written in French. Two texts characteristic of two different historical moments – « Avis d’une mère à sa fille » (1728) by Madame de Lambert and Tout comme elle (2006) by the Quebec author Louise Dupré – form the basis of the class. Their analysis will be followed by presentations of selected works by Colette, Simone de Beauvoir, Marguerite Duras, Marie Cardinal, Malika Mokeddem and Leïla Marouane.

Introductory sessions

Presentation of literary facts by the course instructor

Reading and discussion of the literary texts chosen (teamwork)

Oral presentation of a literary work by each student

The course assessment covers

a)    the active and regular participation in the course

b)    the oral presentation of a literary work of the student’s choice

c)    the written paper (Seminararbeit)

d)    the final test

Compulsory reading:

Louise Dupré, Tout comme elle (2006)

Madame de Lambert, « Avis d’une mère à sa fille » (1728)

Recommended reading (so as to be able and choose a text for individual analysis):

Colette, Sido (1930)

Simone de Beauvoir, Le deuxième sexe (1949 ; extraits où Beauvoir parle du rôle de la mère) ; Une mort très douce (1964)

Marguerite Duras, L’amant (1984); Un barrage contre le Pacifique (1950)

Marie Cardinal, Les mots pour le dire (1975)

Nancy Huston, La virevolte (1994)

Malika Mokeddem, Je dois tout à ton oubli (2008)

It is recommended to start reading during the summer break.