In this dissertation, Michele Gerring analyzes scenarios in which the integration of the Maghrebi-French occurs in contemporary French settings, to a variety of degrees, as seen in several works of Beur novels and films, and select issues of the magazine, "Paris-Match," constructing a “spectrum of hospitality,” based on the theories that best contextualize the polar ends of hospitality, Derridean hospitality theory and Foucauldian power theory.
After establishing her theoretical foundations in Chapter 1, she examines integration as it is depicted in Beur novels and films revealing Foucauldian-like relationships between the Maghrebi-French and the French of European descent in Chapter 2; integration as it is viewed in settings of mixed hospitality in Chapter 3, and integration as seen in novels and films featuring more favorable circumstances for the Maghrebi-French, akin to situations of “Derridean” hospitality, in Chapter 4, before analyzing the predominately-distrustful relationships revealed in some of "Paris-Match"’s portrayals of the French suburban riots of 1990-1991, 2005, 2007, and 2010, in Chapter 5.
Gerring’s study of Maghrebi-French integration, as it is depicted in this corpus of works, demonstrates that Derrida’s concept of the mutually-beneficial guest-host relationship, part of his hospitality theory, in which the “guest” and the “host” act in the best interest of the other party, can be useful in encouraging the French of European descent and the Maghrebi-French to consider the point of view of the other party, thereby improving conditions for the other party, as well as their relationship. Additionally, instances in which hyper-ethical behavior is practiced, as individuals or representatives of larger entities take the perspective of the other party, developing empathy for them, even when there has been conflict between the parties, as exemplified by certain characters in the works analyzed in this dissertation, reveal that this exercise of seeing the vulnerability of the other party can have much value for reducing conflict, especially when applied to the practice of ethical behavior.
Meanwhile, the Foucauldian concept of desubjectification, as outlined in Foucault’s later works on ethics, is useful for the Maghrebi-French. This process, by which the marginalized limit the power that the dominant group has to define them, thus reclaiming their ability to structure their self-image from this dominant group, is exemplified in several of the works analyzed in Chapters 2 and 3, on instances of so-called “Foucauldian” hospitality, and of mixed hospitality. Later in the dissertation, Gerring’s analysis of the riots in the French suburbs that have occurred periodically since 1981, which lead most of the representations analyzed in the articles of "Paris-Match" focusing on these events to resemble instances of so-called “Foucauldian” hospitality, suggests that other means besides insurrection be used in order to ensure that the points of view and the rights of the Maghrebi-French are respected.
Based on her close analysis of these representations of scenarios of Maghrebi-French integration, Gerring discusses, in her Conclusions chapter, some factors that seem
to generally favor the integration of the Maghrebi-French within French society.