Amélie vs. Amélie. The polarization of the nothombian self Cover Image
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Amélie vs. Amélie. La polarisation du moi nothombien
Amélie vs. Amélie. The polarization of the nothombian self

Author(s): Virgil-Mihai Ţâru
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, French Literature
Published by: Editura Universităţii din Bucureşti
Keywords: Amélie Nothomb; split self; bi-polar; evolution; alter ego; liberty of self;

Summary/Abstract: The present paper deals with a series of alter egos the reader can find in the writings of the Belgian author Amélie Nothomb. The starting point is the premise that the nothombian self, represented in several writings through the character Amélie, is usually split and polarized around two opposite tendencies. One is characterized by a limitation, a restrained liberty of the self, a non-movement perceived as a state of non-becoming. The other, being the exactly opposite, is defined by the full blooming out (épanouissement) of the ego. The paper first identifies, and then analyzes the bi-polar self all through the life of Amélie-character, starting with the childhood and ending up with the experience of working in a Japanese company. The identification of the reasons that cause the splitting up of the character’s self, together with the analysis of their implications in character’s evolution, are sustained with edificatory citations from "Métaphysique des tubes" ("The Character of Rain", 2000), "Le Sabotage amoureux" ("Loving Sabotage", 1993), "Biographie de la faim" ("The Life of Hunger", 2004), "Stupeur et tremblements" ("Fear and Trembling", 1999), and "Ni d’Ève ni d’Adam" ("Tokyo Fiancée", 2007).

  • Issue Year: 2012
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 85-91
  • Page Count: 7
  • Language: French