Abstract

This dissertation, entitled Beyond Postcolonial discourse: New problematics of Feminine identity in Contemporary Francophone Literature, focuses on contemporary Francophone texts written by authors from North Africa; notably Tahar Ben Jelloun, Assia Djebar and Leila Sebbar. These novels are very recent, spanning the years 1982-1995. It is the objective of this dissertation to demonstrate how the image of North African women is portrayed in these novels, both in France and in the Maghreb, as well as to scrutinize the historic, political and cultural roles of Maghrebian women in literature written in French. In addition to the feminine theme of this manuscript, other current socio-political implications and issues which have stemmed from France's former colonial ties with the Maghreb are studied. These include marginalization, immigration, education, racism and language, which are principal concerns in all the works of the authors addressed. ;France's colonial history and its legacy are integral parts of every contemporary Francophone author's work, therefore, this dissertation accords particular attention to them. It is the historical implications of colonialism which create a need to situate the contemporary Francophone author of the Maghreb in today's post-colonial literary world. In this dissertation, I define 3 stages of Francophone literature written by Maghrebian authors. The first stage dates from 1891 to 1940; the second from 1940-1962; and the third stage, 1962 to the present, . ;This third stage begins with the end of the Franco-Algerian War in 1962. Authors writing at this time seek to define the parameters of a much more socio-culturally based literature which extends its themes beyond the nationalist agendas of the 1950s. Contemporary Maghrebian authors writing in French develop themes beyond the former colonizer/colonized dialectic to encompass more crucial, post-revolutionary topics such as individualism and how to cope with living between two histories, two cultures, two languages and two identities. New issues facing post-revolutionary Maghrebian governments also include the role of women in post-colonial society. Authors such as Nabile Fares , Assia Djebar , Albert Memmi , are among just a few who wrote with a new modern vision for the Francophone Maghreb; one which would embrace new contemporary socio-cultural themes while still maintaining use of the French language