We look at what we call 'universalism' through Mohammed Dib's writings, its origins, manifestations and implications, and find illustrations and applications of this 'philosophy' within other authors' works and observations. We start by defining a theoretical framework and a human context within which this concept can be grasped and traced. Having established that universalist aspirations tend to derive from a state of exile, we look into the historical origins of this disturbing experience which seems to permeate practically all of French literature from the Maghreb. We then see how Dib's personal life has influenced his vision and we examine the evolution of his ideological focus and writing technique. We analyse the major and recurrent themes in a number of his novels, as we wish to demonstrate that they are all interdependent within the coherent system of thought that is universalism. We attempt to identify what this concept might correspond to, either in reality (past and present) or in definitions and theories available today. We thus are led to analyse what we feel compelled to call 'anti-universalism', as it seem to constitute, in its manifestations, an antithesis of universalism. We argue that the two movements, although opposite, seem to stem from similar aspirations and are linked in so far as they are different responses to the same stress that situations of exile and exclusion cause. Finally, we formulate some hypotheses concerning the future of these opposing forces and attempt to answer a few questions. We advocate a cultural strategy within French literature to promote universalism and 'true francophony' as a safeguard against what we conclude to be its perilous alternative: 'anti-universalism' and 'false francophony', which amounts to disinformation and demagogy, France, Europe, the 'Western World' might not be able to continue to hold onto a narrow definition of universal literature.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:639075 |
| Date | January 2002 |
| Creators | Smith, D. |
| Publisher | Swansea University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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