La Poésie des Ardennes occupies, 1914-1918

Translated title of the contribution: The Poetry of the Occupied Ardennes, 1914-1918

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Abstract

The German occupation of France during the Great War has long been buried beneath the memory of the Occupation of 1940-1944. It is only very recently that it has begun to be studied seriously by historians: This article considers the role of poetry in the Ardennes, the only French département to be completely occupied for the entire duration of the conflict. Here we see how poetry, among other cultural forms, is instrumentalised by the German occupier, notably in its French language propaganda newspaper, La Gazette des Ardennes, in order to promote defeatism and collaboration. On the other hand, exiled to unoccupied France, the Ardennais poet Henri Dacremont produces a conventionally patriotic poetry tinged with regionalism. This « engagée » poetry contrasts with the more contemplative and melancholy verse of Marie-Louise Dromart, which will only published after the deliverance of her home region.
Translated title of the contributionThe Poetry of the Occupied Ardennes, 1914-1918
Original languageFrench
Pages (from-to)21-36
Number of pages15
JournalLublin Studies in Modern Languages and Literature
Volume39
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Ardennes
  • Occupation
  • Poetry
  • Propaganda

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