War and gender in provincial France: the case of the Quercy and Armagnac regions of South-West France 1940-44.

Thesis

This thesis investigates how the events and experiences of the Second World War changed gendered identities in two regions of rural south-west France. It does so by examining the lives of ten individuals, five women and five men, whose lives were deeply affected by the war. Seven of these lives are examined in great detail, and three less so. The principal sources have been oral history interviews, and departmental and family archives. The methodology used is prosopological and microhistorical. The case studies are preceded by a chapter dealing with how gendered identities at the national level in France evolved over the period from c. 1930 to c. 1958. The thesis stresses that from the second half of 1943 until the summer of 1945 the regions in question experienced a violent conflict that combined combat between Resistance groups and German forces, collective reprisal punishments by the Germans, and a civil war between different French groups. By the summer of 1944, the mood had become savage and vengeful, and the state had effectively ceased to function. The individuals studied came mainly from diverse strata of the bourgeoisie and most had roots or connections in both town and country. They ranged in age from those in their late teens in 1940 to others in late middle age. The studies illustrate that the effects of this war were distinct as to female and male identities. Women were presented with opportunities to create new identities that were quite different to pre-established models, while men tended to reassert more traditional identities. Considering the evolution of gendered identities over the longer mid-century period, the thesis concludes that the effects of the war on female identities were profound and lasting, while for male identities the revival of older forms of gendered behaviour proved short-lived.

Authors: Lesmoir-Gordon, I

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-ammdgwvap
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English.
• Subjects: Gender history; World War, 1939-1945; France