An Imagological Analysis of A Girl in Paris by Shusha Guppy: Between Stereotyping and Realism

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of French Language and Literature; Faculty of Foreign Languages, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of French Language and Literature, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Imagology, as an approach in comparative literature, delves into the formation and representation of the "Other" within the framework of cultural interactions, offering new insights into the understanding of identities and intercultural differences. The present study undertakes an imagological analysis of the representation of the "Other" in A Girl in Paris by Shusha Guppy. Utilizing Daniel-Henri Pageaux's theories of imagology, this research explores the reactions of the "observer" when faced with the culture and society of Paris and seeks to determine whether Guppy's representations fall into the common traps of stereotypes and prejudices or she transcends these limitations. According to these theories, there are three discernible perspectives in confronting the "Other": mania, phobia, and philia. The findings suggest that Guppy's gaze aligns closely with the philia perspective, where neither the foreign culture is deemed superior nor inferior to that of the observer, but rather a mutual and equal exchange between the observer and the observed is established. Through her long-term lived experience in Paris, Guppy has distanced herself from the conventional clichés found in the travelogues of the Qajar era, engaging in a process of demythologization. Conducted using a descriptive-analytical method, this research focuses on various aspects of social and cultural life such as student life, the educational system, the housing crisis, and the arts, providing a deeper exploration of the "Self" and the "Other." This study concludes that Guppy not only offers a more realistic portrayal of Parisian society but also attains a deeper understanding of her own identity through these cultural encounters.

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Research in Contemporary World Literature

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 December 2024

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