The Return of Martin Guerre by Natalie Davis is a tale revolving around identity fraud. The story is told in third person and emphasizes Bertrande’s struggles, who is Martin Guerre’s wife. Martin leaves her behind for eight years, but one day he suddenly returns. However it is another man named Arnaud pretending to be Martin. Did Bertrande know he was a fraud all along, or did she truly fall for his tricks? Davis’ argument is true, Bertrande needed to have someone to support her and it was shameful to be alone with children during that time period.
In The Return of Martin Guerre, Bertrande de Rols marries Martin Guerre at a fairly young age. They struggle together, dealing with years of “sexual impotency”. Finally they have a child together. One day, Martin leaves and does not come back. However, Arnaud de Tilh
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learns of his physical similarities to Martin Guerre and poses as him, learning everything there is to know about him. He seemingly fools Bertrande into believing that he is her long lost husband, and she shares her bed with him. Arnaud mistakenly asks Pierre Guerre for financial assistance, and they begin to argue about it, leading Pierre to question his true identity. He goes on trial, and it is difficult for Bertrande whether she believes him or not, to testify against him because the worst thing is to be an adultress and as a female she cannot put her honor at stake. Eventually, he is accused of being an imposter, the real Martin Guerre comes back, and he and Bertrande seemingly live happily ever after again. Davis’ argument on behalf of Bertrande is that she knew that she was being deceived all along, and it is quite difficult to believe that she did not know the man she was married to very well. She also believes that Bertrande was actually a part of the scheme, and helped Arnaud become Martin Guerre. “Was the weakness of the sex really so great that wives could not tell the difference between married love and adultery?” Her evidence points to their sex life. How could Bertrande not know the difference between her two lovers? Not even on a sexual note, according to Davis, she should have been aware of the dissimilarity in just the way she was spoken to or interacted with in any way. Davis also believes that Bertrande was an accomplice to Arnaud’s scheme to steal Martin Guerre’s identity. She does not have clear evidence for this, however. It is all based on inference and hypothesizing based on the story that was told. It is most likely the case that Bertrande did have a part in concocting the scheme to replace Martin Guerre with Arnaud de Tilh.
The reasons behind this are despite the lack of technological advances that are in place today and how the human species has intellectually grown, people during that time period cannot have been that senseless that they failed to recognize who their true husband was, no matter what time had passed since they had last seen each other. This is someone Bertrande has been with since she was twelve, someone she has slept with, had a child to, and worked with for many years. It is highly unlikely that she would not notice a difference between the two men. “Beyond a young womanhood with only a brief period of sexuality, beyond a marriage in which her husband understood her little, may have feared her, and surely abandoned her, Bertrande dreamed of a husband who would come back and be different.” This points to how she did not have a happy marriage to begin with, she was with someone who she did not particularly enjoy, someone who left her, and she needed someone to care for her and to support her; Arnaud de Tilh was perfect for
that. The reasons why Bertrande wanted Arnaud to pose as her husband was because she needed economic stability and she needed to avoid social repercussions of being a woman and being unaccompanied. “Here we come to certain character traits of Bertrande de Rols, which she was already displaying in her sixteenth year: a concern for her reputation as a woman, a stubborn independence, and a shrewd realism about how he could maneuver within the constraints placed upon her sex.” She is a woman who knows that without a husband present, she will be shamed as a female in the society that she lives in. Economically, she cannot easily provide for herself without the help of a man. Additionally, it was not easy to get a divorce in this era; individuals were really only allowed to get divorces and get remarried after if there was evidence of adultery or impotency. If the husband left, she still could not remarry, because if he comes back, it is adultery. “The doctors had insisted that a wife was not free to remarry in the absence of her husband, no matter how many years had elapsed, unless she had certain proof of his death.” So Bertrande could not find someone new to support her, even though Martin had left years ago. It was all quite twisted, so it is awfully easy to see why Bertrande would conspire with Arnaud and transform him into Martin Guerre.
The dogs of war by Michael Paterniti is an informative and heartwarming article about handler Marine Corporal Jose Armenta and his dog Zenit. And how handlers and dogs are trained without each other and how they are trained with each other. The way that Micheal Paterniti writes is excellent and well written but it is even better with the pictures, the pictures tie everything together.
Is it true Americans are rightfully notorious for creating inaccurate paradigms of what really happened in historical events Americans are tied to? Has America ever censored historical events in order to protect Americans innocent democratic reputation? After reading, “The Best War Ever” by Michael C.C Adams, I have found the answers to these questions to be yes. Some of the myths that Adams addresses in his book include: 1. America was innocent in world war two and was an ever acting protagonist in the war; 2. World war two or any war for that matter can be, or is a “good war” and bring prosperity to America; 3. War world two brought unity to Americans.
The Return of Martin Guerre, written by Natalie Zemon Davis, is the tale of a court case that takes place in sixteenth century France. Martin Guerre is a peasant who deserted his wife and family for many years. While Martin Guerre is gone, a man named Arnaud du Tilh arrives at Martin’s village and claims to be Martin Guerre. Bertrande, who is Guerre’s wife, Guerre’s sisters, and many of the villagers, accepts the imposter. After almost three years of being happily married, Bertrande takes the fraud to court under pressure of Pierre Guerre, her stepfather and Guerre’s brother. Arnaud du Tilh is almost declared innocent, but the real Martin Guerre appears in the courthouse. Throughout this tale, many factors of the peasant life are highlighted. The author gives a very effective and detailed insight to a peasant’s life during the time of Martin Guerre. Davis does a successful job of portraying the peasant lifestyle in sixteenth century France by accentuating the social, cultural, and judicial factors of everyday peasant life.
Analysis of Philip Caputo's A Rumor of War. A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo, is an exceptional autobiography on a man's first-hand experiences during the Vietnam War. Philip Caputo was a Lieutenant during the Vietnam War and illustrates the harsh reality of what war really is. Caputo's in-depth details of his experience during the war are enough to make one cringe, and the eventual mental despair often experienced by soldiers (including Caputo) really makes you feel for participants taking part in this dreadful war atmosphere.
The Vietnam War has become a focal point of the Sixties. Known as the first televised war, American citizens quickly became consumed with every aspect of the war. In a sense, they could not simply “turn off” the war. A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo is a firsthand account of this horrific war that tore our nation apart. Throughout this autobiography, there were several sections that grabbed my attention. I found Caputo’s use of stark comparisons and vivid imagery, particularly captivating in that, those scenes forced me to reflect on my own feelings about the war. These scenes also caused me to look at the Vietnam War from the perspective of a soldier, which is not a perspective I had previously considered. In particular, Caputo’s account of
Being a woman, she is completely at the mercy of her husband. He provides for her a lifestyle she could not obtain on her own and fixes her place in society. This vulnerability stops Edna from being truly empowered. To gain independence as a woman, and as a person, Edna must relinquish the stability and comfort she finds in the relationship with her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Pontellier's marriage comprises a series of power plays and responds well to Marxist and Feminist Theory. Leonce Pontellier looks "…at his wife as one who looks at a valuable piece of property…". He views her as an accessory that completes the ideal life for him. Edna, however, begins to desire autonomy and independence from Leonce, so true to the feminist point of view.
After years of abandonment, an absent man presumed to be Martin Guerre appeared in front of a woman who longed for a strong love and different husband. An “obstinate and honorable” woman could no...
The heroine, Mrs. P, has some carries some characteristics parallel to Louise Mallard in “Hour.” The women of her time are limited by cultural convention. Yet, Mrs. P, (like Louise) begins to experience a new freedom of imagination, a zest for life , in the immediate absence of her husband. She realizes, through interior monologues, that she has been held back, that her station in life cannot and will not afford her the kind of freedom to explore freely and openly the emotions that are as much a part of her as they are not a part of Leonce. Here is a primary irony.
Martineau clearly had a strong political agenda in writing this story, however in doing so, she addresses the fundamental difference she sees in the roles of responsibility in marriage. In her mind, the husband and the wife have clearly defined roles, not so much along lines of production, but rather in terms of the household. That which is in the household, whether it is the domestic duties or financial responsibility, falls to the wife while it is the husband who is responsible for the income stream.
For example, he treats some women with little respect. The novel states, “ And [Robert] related the story of Alcee Arobin and the consul’s wife; and another about the tenor of the French Opera, who received letters which should never have been written…” (20). This shows that Alcee has been with multiple women, and he has, from what can be inferred, written bad letters to them. He seems to have casted these women aside now and moved on showing little respect for them which was not what a man should have. Moreover, he moves in on married women. The novel states, “When he leaned forward and kissed [Edna], she clasped his head, holding his lips to hers” (84). Although Edna returned the kiss, it still does not excuse the fact that Alcee initiated the kiss on a known married women. Men during the time did not try to take what other men already had as the reader is shown when Robert says goodbye to Edna for the reason of her marriage to Leonce. Additionally, Alcee does what he wants to women. The novel states, “‘ I am, after I have said good night[,]’ [said Alcee.] ‘Good night,’ [Edna] murmured. He did not answer, except to continue to caress her. He did not say good night until she had become supple to his gentle, seductive entreaties” (94). Edna tries to tell Alcee to leave, although not in a very commanding way, but he refuses until he gets what he wants from her. Men at the time had more respect from
The story begins with the Marquise de Merteuil corresponding with Vicomte de Valmont regarding a luscious new act of ‘revenge’, as she describes it, against the Comte de Gercourt. The young Cecile de Volanges has just come home from the convent and her marriage to Gercourt has been arranged. However, before he can wed the innocent child, Merteuil proposes Valmont ‘educate’ her, thus spoiling Gercourt’s fancy for untarnished convent girls. Valmont is uninterested in such an easy seduction and is far more aroused by the thought of lulling The Presidente’ de Tourvel, the very epitome of virtue, into submission. And so the tale unfolds.
"...no nation is rich enough to pay for both war and civilization. We must make our choice; we cannot have both."
Amongst military theorists and practitioners who studied war, its origin and implications, Carl von Clausewitz assumes a place among the most prominent figures. With his book On War, he demonstrated his capability to provide thorough historical analysis and conclusions of the conflicts in which he was engaged, and as a philosopher he reflected about all encompassing aspects of war. Today, Western armies conduct modern warfare in a dynamic environment composed of flexible and multiple threats in which civilians form a substantial part. Studying Clausewitz provides current military and political leadership useful insights to understand twenty-first century warfare. He explains the nature of war, provides an analytical tool to understand the chaos of warfare, and he argues for well educated and adaptable leadership capable of creative thinking. Although he died before his work was complete, his writing style was ambiguous and unclear at some moments, and current technology reduced some of his tactics obsolete, his work still arouses and inspires military and political strategists and analysts.
Léonce appears to be an ideal husband for the turn of the nineteenth century. He adores his wife Edna, buys her affectionate gifts, and cares for her general well being. When other women see his treatment of Edna, they believe him to be a perfect husband. Edna, however, sees him as being distant and reserved. Though he gives her material freedom, he sees her as a possession. He provides little emotional support and cannot fill any of Edna's rising sexual needs. "Her husband seemed to her now like a person whom she had married without love as an excuse" (77). Léonce proves to be the father figure for Edna. He pampers her and takes care of all her physical needs. However, he is unable to rea...
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's "The State of War" elegantly raises a model for confederative peace among the states of Europe, and then succinctly explains its impossibility. Rousseau very systematically lays out the benefits of such a "perpetual peace" through arguments based only in a realism of pure self-interest, and then very elegantly and powerfully turns the inertia of the self-interest machinery against the same to explain why it can never come to be. However, this final step may be a bit too far; in his academic zeal for the simple, I will argue that he has overlooked the real, or at least ignored the possible. His conclusion may be appealingly reasoned, but it is still insupportable.