UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Voices of Silence in Francophone Women’s Literature: Comparisons of Algerian and Mauritian Novels A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in French and Francophone Studies by Kathryn Mary Schlosser 2018 © Copyright by Kathryn Mary Schlosser 2018 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Voices of Silence in Francophone Women’s Literature: Comparisons of Algerian and Mauritian Novels by Kathryn Mary Schlosser Doctor of Philosophy in French and Francophone Studies University of California, Los Angeles, 2018 Professor Françoise Lionnet, Co-Chair Professor Lia N Brozgal, Co-Chair “Voices of Silence in Francophone Women’s Literature: Comparisons of Algerian and Mauritian Novels” examines the use of silence in African Francophone women’s literature. The topic of silence with regards to women, their voices and their writing has been central to feminist movements worldwide. In the novels analyzed in this dissertation, the gesture of breaking women’s silences paradoxically, it would seem, still includes a variety of silences within the narrative. This dissertation queries at such an aesthetic, and how the use of multivalent silences enhances rather than undermines the act of speaking out. It aims to (re)valorize the use of silence in women’s writing, and purports in fact to show its necessity in the iteration of subjectivity. I argue that silence operates as purposeful aesthetic narrative tool in Francophone African women’s writing; I term this generative quality of silence within the narrative as productive silence. ii As part of my interrogation of productive silence, I analyze six novels written by Francophone women from Algeria and Mauritius. Each chapter pairs together an Algerian and Mauritian novel; this transnational comparative approach puts the Francophone literature into dialogue in order to highlight the unique multicultural contexts of Algeria and Mauritius. In addition, I incorporate a multidisciplinary theoretical approach that looks at silence through the lens of literaray, linguistic, communication, and philosophical theories. This project examines the ways in which silence is deployed to write autobiographical texts, to journey through the unknown in order to discover personal truths, and to recognize and memorialize the suffering and bravery of lost heroes. Within this selection of Francophone women’s writing, multiform silences create a threshold for self-discovery, motivation to seek out untold histories, and a language with which to do it. iii The dissertation of Kathryn Mary Schlosser is approved. Andrea N Loselle Lucia Re Françoise Lionnet, Committee Co-Chair Lia N Brozgal, Committee Co-Chair University of California, Los Angeles 2018 iv For my family. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract……………………………………………………………………………. ii Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………..…… vii Vita……………………………………………………………………………..…. ix Introduction Voix du silence: Voices of Silence in Francophone Women’s Literature..………… 1 Chapter One Entendre le silence: Understanding Theories on Silence.…………………….…… 9 Chapter Two Au seuil de moi: Writing the Self through Silence in Cixous and Devi………….… 43 Chapter Three Mouvement du silence: Journeys through Silence with Leïla Sebbar and Shenaz Patel………………………………………………………………..…. 100 Chapter Four Voix du passé: Assia Djebar’s and Natacha Appanah’s Ghost Stories………….… 144 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………... 196 Works Cited………………………………………………………………………. 200 vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project began many years ago, and came to fruition this year thanks to the support and guidance of UCLA’s Department of French and Francophone Studies and Graduate Division. UCLA surrounded me with stellar examples of innovative researchers, dedicated scholars, and inspiring Francophone writers—making the daunting challenge of original research possible. I am eternally grateful to several of my French professors, (and in some ways, to all of them!). To Arthur Evans, at DePauw University; he showed me how much I loved the challenge of French and the worlds I could explore by speaking it. To Anne Donadey, who introduced me to Algerian literature and the “war without a name;” she has been as an ever-present mentor during my time at San Diego State University, and throughout my time at UCLA. To Andrea Loselle, whose palpable passion for diving into theory inspired my deep foray into silence. To Lucia Re, for broadening my feminist theory horizons past French borders. To Françoise Lionnet, the ultimate example of a scholar who can elevate her field while keeping it relevant; she introduced me Mauritian literature, and remains still a consummate mentor and inspiration. Her ability to seamlessly connect the micro with the macro, the past and present, and literatures around the world and throughout time never ceases to amaze me. To Lia Brozgal, whose extraordinary efforts made this dissertation possible. Her work ethic and dedication to detailed and specific feedback has made all aspects of this project better. Mille mercis à vous tous! So many others have contributed to the successful completion of my dissertation as well. To author Ananda Devi, who offered her time and expertise to me and the UCLA community. To my writing group, Anneka Haddix, Annie Mueller, and Lauren Van Arsdall, who helped me to be brave and share, and never stopped cheering me on. To fellow francophonists Michelle Bumatay and Katelyn Knox, whose original work and passion for scholarship inspires me. To my fellow vii dissertating colleagues whose moral support and advice kept me keeping on. To Kerry Allen and the administrative staff of the UCLA Department of French and Francophone Studies for making all things paperwork happen. For those who came into my life during my time at UCLA, you have all influenced the person and scholar I am today in some way or another, j’en serai toujours reconnaissante. And lastly I wish to express all my gratitude and love to my friends and family. For my father, John E. Schlosser, and his incredible and curious mind; I credit my intellectual curiosity to you. For my mother, Mary R. Schlosser, for reminding me that I will be fine, and knowing that I could do it, even when I didn’t. For my brother John Schlosser, who wondered if I would ever stop going to school. For my grandmother, Phyllis A. Nordstrom, who brought me out to California and always reminds me how proud she is of me. Thank you to the friends who have become my family—Travis Nesbitt, Kirstin Fulton, and Jessica Rett—your support, advice, laughter and love have kept me going on this incredible and challenging journey! To Amy, Christy, Kelli and Leah, for always being the best. And to mon amour Dominic Mehling, who has helped me balance the silences of literature with the outrageously loud joys of life—thank you for your love, support and and above all, your patience. viii VITA 2001 B.A. in French DePauw University Greencastle, IN 2005 M.A. in French Literature San Diego State University San Diego, CA 2007-2008 French Instructor Imperial Valley College Imperial, CA 2009-2010 Teaching Assistant Department of French and Francophone Studies University of California, Los Angeles 2010 Graduate Summer Research Mentorship Graduate Division University of California, Los Angeles 2010-2011 Teaching Associate Department of French and Francophone Studies University of California, Los Angeles 2010-2011 Robert Merrill Award for the Best Teaching Assistant Department of French and Francophone Studies University of California, Los Angeles 2011 Graduate Summer Research Mentorship Graduate Division University of California, Los Angeles 2011-2014 Teaching Fellow Department of French and Francophone Studies University of California, Los Angeles 2013 Teaching Assistant Coordinator Department of French and Francophone Studies University of California, Los Angeles 2014-2016 Visiting Instructor, Department of French and Italian Miami University Oxford, OH ix PUBLICATIONS, CONFERENCE PAPERS AND INVITED LECTURES Schlosser, Kathryn M. Translation with Anne Donadey (Schlosser primary author). “Assia Djebar. Nulle part dans la maison de mon père. Book Review by Salim Jay. » L’Esprit Créateur vol.48, no.4, Winter 2008, pp. 133-134. ---. “A ‘Bel Avenir’ for Banlieue Literature.” Paper presented at the Seventh Annual SLLC Graduate Student Forum: Reflections of Optimism. The School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, March 26-27, 2009, University of Maryland, College Park, MD. ---. “Lire le silence : Entendre l’opacité dans La Seine était rouge.” Paper presented at Dis/placing Boundaries in the Romance World. Bi-annual Romance Languages Graduate Student Conference, November 19-20, 2010, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. ---“Djamila’s Laugh: Recuperating Fanon’s “Feminist Tendencies” in Pontecorvo and Bouchareb.” Paper presented at 24th Annual Meeting of the Far West Popular Culture and American Culture Associations, February 24-26, 2012, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. Schlosser, Kathryn M. and Ruth Jones. “Alone Together: Introduction.” Paroles Gelées vol. 28, 2014, pp. 1-2. Schlosser, Kathryn M. “Le Je(u) postcolonial: The Game of Women’s Subjectivity in Ananda Devi’s Indian Tango.” Paper presented at the Thinking Gender Conference, UCLA Center for the Study of Women’s (CSW) 24th Annual Graduate Student Research Conference, February 7th, 2014, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. ---. Interpreter for Dafroza Gauthier’s interview with Kelly McEvers. “Fighting for Rwanda’s Justice in France,” All Things Considered,