“A French 9/11”? French literature in the wake of terrorism

This dissertation explores how contemporary French literature and intellectual discourse have responded to the aftermath of major terrorist events, including the 9/11 attacks in the United States and the Charlie Hebdo attack in January 2015. It investigates the complex interactions among cultural identity, national trauma, and literary expressions, focusing on how French writers, intellectuals, and the broader cultural community currently address the global phenomenon of terrorism. This exploration evaluates the contributions of these narratives to a broader understanding of terrorism's impact on society and questions the appropriateness of the expression “a French 9/11.” The argument central to this thesis is that French literature actively engages with the socio-political and cultural shifts following 9/11. It provides insights into how literature addresses memory processes, identity formation, and communal and national expressions of grief. It argues that the literary and cultural aftermath of terrorism in France opens critical discussions about freedom, security, and state roles, enriching debates about democracy, secularism, and the challenges of multiculturalism in modern France.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

French

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Portugal, Nicolas

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mathy, Jean-Philippe
• Mall, Laurence
• Kaplan, Brett
• Proulx, François

• 9/11
• French Literature
• Terrorism

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Nicolas Portugal

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125663

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F125663