thesis

Representations et imaginaires : l'étranger dans le théâtre des lumieres

Defense date:

Jan. 1, 1997

Edit

Institution:

Paris 10

Disciplines:

Literature

Authors:

Directors:

Abstract EN:

This survey aims at casting an analytical look at the french theatrical production of the 18th century, in order to determine and understand the way playwrights have portrayed those people not involved in that culture which ap, pears both rationalistic and christian, both european and centralizing. The analysis of this imagery involves some investigation into the imagi, nations and the sensibilities of the times, likely to be observed on a stage playing the parts of both a place of entertainment and an "ideological forum". As much as it spurs curiosity and desire, the interest taken in others generates worries and fears. To comprehend such a relative notion as the one of the foreigner, a five-item taxonomy has been set up, from forty plays or so. Starting from the "good" savage of remote times (chapter i), who embo, dies fantasies of violence and bestiality, this survey brings together proud barba, rians, generous infidels (chapter ii), and cosmopolitan jews (chapter iii). Nearer to us in space and mind, englishmen, on the other hand, share the respectability and intelligibility of "our" cultural identity (chapter iii). The last chapter (chapter iv), to be seen as a synthesis, examines the ways all those foreigners meet, and gather round the representation of the frenchman.

Abstract FR:

Ce travail se propose de porter un regard analytique sur la production theatrale francaise du xviiie siecle, pour decouvrir et comprendre la facon dont y sont representes les etrangers a cette culture, rationaliste mais chretienne, europeenne mais centralisatrice. L'analyse de ces images implique une enquete sur les imaginaires et les sensibilites de l'epoque se donnant a voir sur la scene theatrale qui assume autant les fonctions d'un lieu de divertissement que celles d'une "tribune ideologique". L'interet porte a autrui genere inquietudes et peurs autant qu'il stimule la curiosite et le desir. Pour apprehender une notion aussi relative que celle d'etranger, une taxinomie composee de cinq categories a ete etablie a partir d'une quarantaine de pieces. Partant du lointain "bon" sauvage (chap i), porteur de fantasmes de violence et de bestialite, ce parcours rassemble fiers barbares, infideles genereux (chap ii) et juifs cosmopolites (chap iii). Pres de nom et proches de nous, les anglais (chap iii) partagent eux, en contrepartie, la respectabilite et l'intelligibilite de notre propre identite culturelle. Le dernier chapitre (chap iv), concu comme une synthese, analyse les modalites des rencontres entre tous ces etrangers, qui se rassemblent autour de la representation du francais.