Abstract
Many anthropological studies have shown the prevalence of the sacred in primitive societies, manifested primarily in significant gestures such as exchanges, rituals, festivals, and the use of time and space. Some studies, in particular those of Roger Caillois and Mircea Eliade, have demonstrated that traces of the sacred, though seemingly displaced, remain present in modern and secular societies. This thesis will examine and bring to light these remnants of sacred behavior in the contemporary settings of the stories of Gabrielle Roy, focusing primarily on food-sharing, gift-giving, and festivals. Each analysis presented will detail how different aspects of the sacred are manifested in contemporary, though fictional, society, and each will permit individuals to identify ways in which modern man, whether religious or secular, is still very connected to sacred practices.
Degree
MA
College and Department
Humanities; French and Italian
Rights
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Sumsion, Ann Elizabeth, "The Search for the Sacred in Gabrielle Roy" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 2017.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/2017
Date Submitted
2009-11-20
Document Type
Thesis
Handle
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd3252
Keywords
Gabrielle Roy, Roger Caillois, Mircea Eliade, sacred, ritual, festival, gesture, religion, gift
Language
English
Included in
French and Francophone Language and Literature Commons, Italian Language and Literature Commons