▼ This thesis examines dictatorship as portrayed in two novels: Ex-père de la nation by Aminata Sow Fall and Branle-bas en noir et blanc by Mongo Beti. I examine the ways society and power transform an ideal person into a dictator and how the power and endurance of a dictator come from his staff and entourage. I discuss the ways postcolonial African fiction uses irony to demystify the dictator and his regime, to destroy or demystify the image of the dictator and his regime, and to give cover to writers who aim to criticize dictatorial regimes through the use of destitute, jobless, or uneducated characters. I argue that dictatorship in Francophone post-colonial societies arises from three sources: France – as the ex-colonizer still influencing the political power of its ex-colonies, – the (African) president’s entourage and staff – through their use of propaganda and lies aimed at sheltering him from knowing and dealing with the daily socio-economic realities the masses, and power itself. As glory, honor nobility, and wealth generally surround political power, they can also corrupt someone to power. Consequently, the absence of free election, modification of the constitution, use of violence and terror, to name a few often ensue and quickly become the trigger for the despotism of the leader. While Aminata Sow Fall shows how the failure of president Madiama depends on his entourage and power, Mongo Beti describes the omnipresence of violence in a dictatorial regime. I build on Roland Barthes’s theory of “myth” to illustrate how dictatorial regimes distract and “hypnotize” people with what he refers to as “vaccine,” Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of “habitus” to show how Francophone African writers construct their novels based on their societies’s needs, and Achille Mbembe’s theories of “banality of power” and “postcolony” to show the ways how, even in the postcolonial era, Francophone African countries are still dealing with the realities of colonization including the exploitation and oppression of the masses, lack of freedom, and poverty. I intend to pursue this work by looking into African cinema and social networking as well as analyzing African’s political system before colonization. Advisors/Committee Members: Zongo, Dr. Opportune.

▼ Although women's rights and liberation in France would not be gained until the 20th century, the battle for sexual equality actually began in the 19th century. George Sand stands among the women that fought to transform women's role in society. However, certain factors have caused her idealistic vision to be overlooked. In this study, I will illustrate, through the analysis of the male and female characters in Horace, Mauprat, and “Lavinia”, how George Sand envisions a pathway toward forming the ideal society based on equality. In the first part of this study, I will demonstrate how Sand liberates the female character within a historically accurate 19th century context in Horace. I will then analyze how Sand implements what I call a gender power role reversal in order to educate her male and female characters. Finally, I will indicate how George Sand introduces three ideal couple models that aim to transform society's narrow vision of the traditional couple into a one based on sexual equality. These three aspects come together to demonstrate Sand's vision of establishing a society based on equality through the ideal couple, making her a precursor to the feminist movement of the 20th century. Advisors/Committee Members: Schocket, Deborah.

▼ Popular references are a defining feature of François Rabelais’ Pantagruel and Gargantua . One cannot read either of these narratives without being exposed to a barrage of popular characters, imagery, and events. This study serves to elucidate Rabelais’ use of popular characters within Pantagruel and Gargantua by arguing that the author used these characters as instructional tools. The first component of this thesis will analyze the manner in which Rabelais makes use of his mythical protagonists in order to denounce the ideological use of myth. This study will also demonstrate how Rabelais uses popular characters in his second narrative, Gargantua, to evoke Erasmian evangelism. The final chapter of this thesis will examine several narrative techniques employed by Rabelais in order to transmit to his readers lessons on wisdom and truth. The culmination of these examples serves to show how Rabelais’ Pantagruel and Gargantua function as instruction manuals, by redefining and reclaiming what it means to be a Christian, and informing readers how to live a better, more evangelical, life. Advisors/Committee Members: Guenther, Beatrice.

▼ Entering young adulthood, the 19th century French poet Arthur Rimbaud permanently abandoned his literary gifts. He never explained why. His enigma is heightened by its polarities: the preeminent poet in zealous pursuit of his art transformed into a man of science and industry, limiting his written expression to flat and stunted phrases. The thesis aimed to explain this phenomenon. The study relied heavily on biographical material and used Rimbaud’s literary works primarily in their autobiographical capacity. Abraham H. Maslow’s classifications of human motivation provided the appropriate psychological context, functioning as touchstones throughout the thesis. Analysis determined that Rimbaud’s psyche gave priority to achieving self-transcendence and poetry needed to function within the path chosen to satisfy this need. His final philosophy of materialism and objectivism proved unforgiving to the subjective ambiguities of art. In addition, he angrily blamed the artistic mindset for years of substance abuse and public scandal. Advisors/Committee Members: Berg, Robert.