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Degree

Master of Arts, Miami University, French, 2008.

Abstract

This thesis is an attempt to understand the various facets of the commonly misconceived emotion that is shame. The objective of the first part of this paper is to distinguish between shame and guilt, to differentiate between the two concepts and to analyze the idea of shame as far back as its judeo-christian roots. This thesis will also deal with the relation between shame and language as well as the latter's inability to fully express a complex emotion that is simultaneously enmeshed in many facets of life and whose defining characteristics are secrets and silence. The second part of this paper will discuss the emotion of shame in literature, namely in testimonial literature, focusing on the memoirs of Holocaust survivors. The final part of this thesis will focus on the shame felt by the Malgre-Nous, French men from Alsace forced to join the German army during World War Two.

Subject Headings

Literature; Philosophy

Committee / Advisors

Anna Klosowska (Advisor)
James Creech (Other)
Mark McKinney (Other)

Language

French

Pages

49p.

Document number: miami1209493926
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1209493926

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