Other
French
ID: <
10670/1.r3f83a>
Abstract
The study of French Canadian women travelers’ accounts in the 1800’s is an object of curiosity in itself since women of this period are traditionally associated to the domestic and to the sedentary. However, diairies, letters, magazines and other types of writing are adamant : 19th century women do travel, and some of them even use their travel experience to take up writing. This article elaborates on the way traveling French Canadian women depict themselves in their writings, and on the discursive strategies they use to rationalize their irregular situation in regards to the social context of their time. Indeed, women travelogues are often presented as mere accounts of famous places, or as reports of the christian endeavors associated with their journey. In many ways, these texts carry on women’s traditional image and social role. Yet, beyond the convention, one can also notice the organisation and the evolution of a specific voice that is altogether ideological, social and literary.