Simone ou l’ascétisme
Publication Type |
Book Chapter |
Year of Publication |
1995 |
Author |
|
Book |
Les mots des femmes: Essai sur la singularité Française |
Pages |
265-291 |
Publisher |
Fayard |
Place Published |
Paris |
Language |
French |
Keywords |
asceticism |
Annotation |
Using the story of “Tar Mary”, as a frame (the story of a child who chooses a door of tar over a door of gold and is subsequently rewarded for her choice), Ouzouf offers a thoughtful, well-informed account of Weil’s life and work. In so doing she touches on a number of themes central to it. She begins with an in-depth discussion of Weil’s asceticism and desire for self-denial and her obsession with purity. She gives a comprehensive overview of Weil’s political activism including her involvement with workers, her factory work and her participation in the Spanish civil war. She goes on to look at the complexity and brilliance of Weil’s intellect and some of the contradictions and paradoxes to which it led. Ouzouf then provides an interesting discussion of Weil’s ambivalent feelings about her body, sexuality and gender. Finally, the chapter concludes with a discussion of one of the most striking contradictions for those who encounter Weil; her intense desire for self-effacement coupled with a fiercely independent, forceful personality that often brooked no opposition in the pursuit of what she desired. |