The grotesque is an unsettled notion which is difficult to define. Over the years, there have been several attempts to formulate a satisfactory definition. Today, a few definitions prevail, namely that proposed by Hugo, Bakhtine and Kayser. In my opinion, the latter is the most appropriate for the analysis of the grotesque in Barbey d'Aurevilly's Diaboliques . / Indeed, Wolfgang Kayser's theory of the grotesque is based on the idea of a world that has suddenly become "estranged". Barbey's "diabolical" characters are peculiar beings, both passionate and inscrutable, who by their actions and attitudes manage to overwhelm most characters of their universe. By their very mystery, the diaboliques remain deeply present in others' minds, thereby changing their existence forever. In Barbey's stories, there are no mythical beasts, no monstrous grotesque per se. However, when examined from Kayser's perspective, light is shed on the grotesque aspect of their characters.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.33301 |
| Date | January 2000 |
| Creators | Marleau, Tania. |
| Contributors | Boucher, Jean-Pierre (advisor) |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | French |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Arts (Département de langue et littérature françaises.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001778439, proquestno: MQ70609, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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