ONLINE: Taught entirely in French, this course will transport students on a literary journey through Macel Pagnol's evocative childhood memories in Marseille and Provence during the early 20th century. Based on Pagnol’s autobiography, “La Gloire de mon père,” the course will delve into themes such as family dynamics, the contrasting views of Marcel's anticlerical father and Catholic uncle, and his enchantment with the region. Students will experience the delights of the "real" Provence — the smells, animals and people — from the point of view of the young Marcel. Through reading and discussion, participants will gain insight into life in Provence during the Third Republic, exploring both its beauty and the cultural tensions of the time. Film clips from the movie adaptation of the book will be shown in class — helping to bring Pagnol’s vivid world to life. | Facilitated discussion.
Max enrollment: 10.
Class sessions are recorded.
Claire Davidshofer was born in Côte d’Ivoire. Back in France, she lived with her family in Toulon, and became well acquainted with Provence thanks to her father, who took her hiking to pick plants from the area. The novel evokes the luminosity of the sky, the smell of lavender, thyme and rosemary. She graduated from the Université of Aix-en-Provence with a master’s degree in English and American literature. At the University of Maine at Presque Isle, she taught diverse French courses.