<p>What role does the body play in Marcel Proust's A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu? Concentrating particularly on Combray and Un Amour de Swann, the following study traces Proust's transformation of the physical body by metaphor. Because the presentation of the body is a barometer indicating both a character's conscious and subconscious thought, critical interpretation of the body is a vital part of understanding Proustian desire. In "chapter one" on the metaphors of bodily processes, the narrator's desire is discussed. Swann's love for Odette is the focus of "chapter two" on the body of desire. Finally, "chapter three" which deals with the body as "sign" in the social world, describes the problems which accompany the interpretation of the body in the text.What role does the body play in Marcel Proust's A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu? Concentrating particularly on Combray and Un Amour de Swann, the following study traces Proust's transformation of the physical body by metaphor. Because the presentation of the body is a barometer indicating both a character's conscious and subconscious thought, critical interpretation of the body is a vital part of understanding Proustian desire. In "chapter one" on the metaphors of bodily processes, the narrator's desire is discussed. Swann's love for Odette is the focus of "chapter two" on the body of desire. Finally, "chapter three" which deals with the body as "sign" in the social world, describes the problems which accompany the interpretation of the body in the text.</p> / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Cette enquête micro-sociologique réalisée sous forme d'observation participante active, s'intéresse aux questions suivantes : comment devient-on body-builder? Comment s'installent des pressions normatives et « déviances positives » attendues et reconnues par le groupe de pratiquants? Ainsi, pendant 8 mois, j'ai suivi une initiation au body-building supervisée par un ancien body-builder (titré internationalement) devenu coach. J'ai participé aux séances de musculation aux côtés de compétiteurs, sportifs et sédentaires, au rythme de quatre entraînements de deux heures par semaine. La thèse soutient que le body-building de haut-niveau fonctionne sur le principe de l'ascèse tout en construisant un lien social de type sectaire entre les membres du groupe et le coach. La transformation du corps demande une implication totale qui a pour conséquence une rupture du quotidien et une restructuration des relations sociales de l'initié. Plus il est reconnu et accepté par le coach et ses pairs, plus il reçoit un regard critique de l'extérieur, ce qui le conduit à un isolement social et renforce les processus d'emprise corporels exercés. Le coach agit comme un gourou de secte en conditionnant le quotidien des athlètes pour les modeler à son image. / This micro-sociological investigation, using the participant observation method, studied how a person becomes a body-builder? How does the expected and accepted normative pressures and " positive deviances " become common practice by the members of the group? Therefore, during 8 months, I followed an initiation of body-building supervised by a former body-builder (internationally titled) who had became a coach. I went to the weight room with competitors, sportsmen and amateur for two hours four times a week. This thesis supports that top-level body-building works on the principle of asceticism and builds sectarian-type social links between the members of the group and the coach. A total implication is required for the transformation of the body which implies giving up the normal every day life and restructuring the initiated persons social relationships. The more he is recognized and accepted by the coach and his peers, the more he will be a criticized from the outside. This will drive him to social isolation and will strengthen the influence exercised by the coach. The coach acts as a guru of sect by controlling the everyday life of the athletes to model them into his image.