Qui est français?: Negotiating National Identity in Alain Badiou's Ahmed philosophe
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC 135
Start Date
21-5-2015
End Date
21-5-2015
Keywords
Identity, Immigrant, French
Abstract
Alain Badiou’s character Ahmed is often compared to Molière’s classic character Scapin. Both characters are tricksters who use their lower-class status in order to speak truth to power. However, Badiou uses Ahmed to challenge the political climate of France, while Scapin merely pokes at the silliness of the French bourgeois. Scapin is assumed to be an intellectual because he is already French. Ahmed must advocate for his status as an intellectual. In this paper, I conduct a close reading of Ahmed philosophe, looking at the relationship between Ahmed and Madame Pompestan. Ahmed’s conversations with Madame Pompestan explore the construction of French identity and French intellectualism. Through their interactions, the audience can understand that Ahmed has as much of a right to the intellectual, philosophical, and political traditions of France as the most elite members of the French government, represented by Madame Pompestan.
Recommended Citation
Talbot, Jordan, "Qui est français?: Negotiating National Identity in Alain Badiou's Ahmed philosophe" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 109.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/oralpresentations/109
Department/Program
Theatre
Additional Mentoring Department
Theatre
Qui est français?: Negotiating National Identity in Alain Badiou's Ahmed philosophe
SURC 135
Alain Badiou’s character Ahmed is often compared to Molière’s classic character Scapin. Both characters are tricksters who use their lower-class status in order to speak truth to power. However, Badiou uses Ahmed to challenge the political climate of France, while Scapin merely pokes at the silliness of the French bourgeois. Scapin is assumed to be an intellectual because he is already French. Ahmed must advocate for his status as an intellectual. In this paper, I conduct a close reading of Ahmed philosophe, looking at the relationship between Ahmed and Madame Pompestan. Ahmed’s conversations with Madame Pompestan explore the construction of French identity and French intellectualism. Through their interactions, the audience can understand that Ahmed has as much of a right to the intellectual, philosophical, and political traditions of France as the most elite members of the French government, represented by Madame Pompestan.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Jay Ball