This talk on French writer Violette Leduc examines her particular take on the insult from the perspective of sociology and gender studies, and will ask the following question: how does Violette Leduc overcome her feeling of illegitimacy as a woman writer? I investigate the so-called “tarnation” that Leduc places at the heart of a bastard’s existence. In her works, the “wound” (blessure) is inherited from the “womb” (utérus) and is linked to a female existence. The writer regards her unfortunate birth as a shameful stain that relegates her in the margins of society, excluding her from the prospects of a career, money, success, and love. In this talk, I will show that Leduc’s attitude to her condition as an illegitimate daughter informs and propels her writings. What are the stakes of claiming to be a “bastard” as a literary identity? Leduc’s style and themes redefine the boundaries of sex and gender and consider kinship across generations, as she takes her place in a lineage of powerful writing women.
Full Details
Wednesday, October 9
Violette Leduc Wounded at Birth: The Bastard, the Insult, the Writer
Time:
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Kaliane Ung, Visiting Assistant Professor of French
Location:
501 Cathedral of Learning
Announced by:
European Studies Center on behalf of