Abstract Janet Lewis's novel, "The Wife of Martin Guerre," takes place in the isolated French village of Artigues. The writer discusses how the novel is set in 1539, a time in which the patriarchal system was still to be found operating in villages, such as Artigues. It looks at this system, which was designed to give collective security to a household through obedience, though it meant relinquishing individual independence. This system, though comfortable at times and secure, was inhibiting, and the restrictions and limitations for both the men and the women play an important role in developing the central characters in the novel, Bertrande and Martin, as well as influencing and controlling their actions and decisions.
From the Paper "The man Martin Guerre, firstborn son of the Guerre household is a good example of the ways in which the patriarchal system influence characters lives. From birth his role in life is defined for him. He is to unite the houses of de Rols and Guerre, work under his father, contributing to the prosperity of the household and eventually become the cap d'hostal. Unfortunately, although Martin is said to "be capable of all that is required of a man" he finds the restrictions of the patriarchal system more than he can stand to live with. From a young age we can see that his born power of women gives him a childish arrogance, demonstrated with the assault on his new wife at their wedding ceremony. His feeling of superiority, encouraged by the tradition of male dominance develops into a stern dislike for authority. Bertrande notes soon after the birth of Sanxi that Martin sometimes felt "impatience at this inferior position." Martin finds the authority of his father so stifling that he appears unable to resist following his own whims on two notable occasions. This first, the bear hunt, results in a severe physical punishment from his father, which though Martin accepts it unquestioningly, appears to have little effect on his independent streak. To continue to live under his fathers rule while continuing into manhood provokes Martin so forcefully that he appears unable to help himself when he defies his father once again, this time escaping punishment. The restrictions imposed upon him by society further influence him to remain absent from his family, as he apparently "found the experience of liberty sweet' and preferred power over his own actions to the company of his wife and child."
Tags:arnaud, bertrande, france, guerre, martin, patriarchal
A discussion of how Janet Lewis's novel, "The Wife of Martin Guerre," illustrates the concept that in an authoritarian society there is no regard for the interests and needs of individuals.
1,204 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 0 sources, 2005, $ 41.95
Abstract This paper discusses how Lewis demonstrates effectively, in her novel, by means of several major characters, such as Monsieur Guerre, Martin Guerre, and Bertrande, how the restrictive nature of the patriarchal system impacts negatively on individuals. It also shows how the clearly defined roles assigned to both women and men led to great difficulties on a personal level, which then have consequences that affect the community as a whole.
From the Paper "The role of men in the authoritarian society of rural France was both a powerful and frustrating one. The character of Monsieur Guerre is used effectively by Lewis to demonstrate the negative effects of the restrictions placed upon the male individual by society. The position of cap d'hostal is an extremely important one in the structure of the society. His supremacy is so complete that any actions not first approved by him are considered illegal, he has a great power over all members of his household and can expect complete obedience from them at all times. However, with this power comes a great burden. He is responsible for the welfare of all those under him, and so he must always act in a manner that will benefit the mesnie as a whole. As a result of this he is allowed little emotional freedom and expression. We can see the effects that the role of cap d'hostal has on the individual in Monsieur Guerre. Although a natural authoritarian figure, Monsieur Guerre harshness is accentuated by the burden of his position. On two occasions we can see the extent to which Monsieur Guerre must go to consider the welfare of his household. The first of these is the bear hunt which a young Marin takes part in. as Martin has not asked permission to go on the hunt; Monsieur Guerre is required to punish him."
Tags:arnaud, authoritarian, bertrande, france, guerre, martin, patriarchal
Abstract This paper examines how, in Janet Lewis's "The Wife of Martin Guerre", the character of Martin possesses a cold and unforgiving nature and how his cruelty is evident in the pain he causes his wife, Bertrande, in both his absence and his presence.
From the Paper "Martin's presence is commonly regarded as a blessed time in Bertrand's tortured existence, with the vivid descriptions of there happiness together, "she kissed him on both cheeks feeling the warmth of the sun upon his flesh", overpowering the earlier descriptions of Martin's cruelty towards Bertrande, the displays of his cruel nature; "he cuffed Bertrande soundly upon the ears". The beautiful imagery used to describe the village of Artigues and the later happiness of Martin and Bertrande causes the reader to forget the coldness of Martin towards Bertrande earlier in the book, his first signs of affection towards his wife do not occur until she earnestly defends his rebellious acts against his father, then becoming his only confidant."
Abstract This paper discusses this book in which a young man named Martin Guerre returns to his old home and his wife after a long absence, the result of an inheritance dispute in the convoluted legal times of the century. It discusses how the story turns when although everyone is happy, the supposedly returning Martin Guerre is revealed to be a man named Arnaud du Tihl. .
From the Paper "This individual impersonated the long departed well-to-do peasant named Martin Guerre, took over his identity, his wife and family, and his property. The true Martin left his wife Bertrande because of a squabble with his father-in-law. Thus, the original Guerre's motivation in leaving his wife and the area is clear. But what about that crucial actor's question regarding a 'character'-in this case, the historical, true-life characters-what are the other characters' motivations? In this case, Guerre's Bertrande may have apparently acquiesced to the impersonator's advances because of her fears of being an unprotected woman, alone in rough area. But Davis also suggests that the woman may have been more attracted to the impersonator than the 'real' man she married."
