L’ÉVOLUTION DE LA FIGURE DU PÈRE DANS L’ŒUVRE ROMANESQUE DE MARIE-CLAIRE BLAIS

Abstract

The father figure has a strong but often hidden presence in Marie-Claire Blais’ novels. Although frequently absent from daily life, fathers have an important impact on the family. Blais’ early novels present traditional fathers, while more recent novels portray a modern figure. The dissolution of the traditional role for fathers has led to confusion: expectations and responsibilities are no longer clearly defined. The presentation of father figures rests with the narrator. Every narrator offers a unique perspective, which changes with age. We propose to study the father figure throughout Blais’ novels in order to determine the influence of the narrative perspective, the impact that age has on this perspective, and also the influence of Québécois societal transformations on the portrayal of father figures within Blais’ work. We will examine the father figure from a child’s perspective, before moving on to the perspective of adolescents, young adults and finally, adults.