Representation of madness in Thérèse Desqueyroux: narrative issues and polyphony

Authors

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/analesff.660751
Keywords: madness, Thérèse Desqueyroux, François Mauriac, narratology, ambiguity.

Abstract

This article examines the representation of madness in François Mauriac's Thérèse Desqueyroux, analyzing how the psychological and moral complexity of the main character is constructed through specific narrative devices. Far from being a simple pathology, Thérèse's madness is presented as a narrative experience in which the boundaries between lucidity and alienation become blurred. The study draws on the contributions of narratology to show how literary devices such as focalization, temporality and polyphony reflect Thérèse's mental disorder. This contribution also highlights the role of this narrative construction in the representation of a character who is both the victim of an oppressive patriarchal order and the actress of her own destruction, in a subtle balance between social determinism and individual responsibility.

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References

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Published
16-12-2025
How to Cite
Bouchahta, I. (2025). Representation of madness in Thérèse Desqueyroux: narrative issues and polyphony. Anales De Filología Francesa, 33. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesff.660751
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Section
Littérature et maladie mentale