'A rose by any other name'. Issue 1 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scott, Lindsey
• Is Part Of: Francosphères. Volume 4:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: French language -- Foreign countries -- Periodicals; French literature -- Foreign countries -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; French-speaking countries -- Civilization -- Periodicals; France -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Civilization; French language -- Foreign countries; French literature -- Foreign countries; France; French-speaking countries; Criticism, interpretation, etc; Periodicals; 306.0944
• DOI: 10.3828/franc.2015.5
• Languages: German
• ISSNs: 2046-3820

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="de"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>In this article, I argue that Kettly Mars's 2010 <italic>Saisons sauvages</italic> is in part a rewriting of the second novel in Marie Chauvet's 1968 trilogy <italic>Amour, Colère et Folie</italic>. I use two of Gérard Genette's theoretical concepts of rewriting to explore the relationship between the two works: <italic>accumulation</italic> – lengthening of the original text – and <italic>clarification</italic> – reduction of its opacity. I also observe a unique strategy in Mars's work, <italic>obfuscation</italic> – reduction in its clarity. Mars's obfuscation of the categories of 'good' and 'bad', by complicating the hero and villain in this rewriting, invites a questioning of the social structures which have created such divides and which continue to contribute to repetitive political instability in Haiti. Ultimately, Mars's retelling of Chauvet's <italic>Colère</italic> amplifies the original political critique, complicates notions of guilt and innocence, and serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of Haitian history. However, given the ongoing influence of global imperial powers on Haitian politics and economics, in a sense, this rewriting encourages reflection not only on the political, economic, and social situation in Haiti itself, but also, and perhaps more importantly, on the global forces that have so largely contributed to this repetitive history.</p> </abstract>