Elsa Triolet et le Prix Goncourt 1944: consécration littéraire ou expédient politique?

Cavani, J. (2004) Elsa Triolet et le Prix Goncourt 1944: consécration littéraire ou expédient politique? In: Ashley, K. (ed.) Prix Goncourt, 1903-2003: essais critiques. Series: Modern French identities (23). Peter Lang: Bern, pp. 125-138. ISBN 9783039100187

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Abstract

On 2 July 1945 Elsa Triolet became the first woman ever to win the Prix Goncourt, awarded for 1944 only in the months following the victory in Europe.<p></p> This paper in French aims to examine the various questions raised by this particular choice at this particular point in history. Can it really be considered as a truly literary consecration, crowning a work in prose for literary reasons, as stipulated by the last will and testament of Edmond de Goncourt, that it be awarded ‘à la jeunesse, à l’originalité du talent, aux tentatives nouvelles et hardies de la pensée et de la forme’, or in this case is it not rather to be evaluated as an act of political expediency aiming to respond to various imperatives of an extra-literary, socio-political nature? <p></p> Via an analysis of various primary and secondary sources I attempt to uncover possible answers to these questions - complex and constantly evolving answers - from the point of view of Elsa Triolet herself, the French Communist Party with which she was so closely associated, the press and other critics and commentators.

Item Type:Book Sections
Keywords:Prix Goncourt, literary prizes, Elsa Triolet, French post-war politics
Status:Published
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Cavani, Dr Jane
Authors: Cavani, J.
Subjects:D History General and Old World > DC France
P Language and Literature > PQ Romance literatures
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
Publisher:Peter Lang
ISBN:9783039100187
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