{"id":5289,"date":"2017-02-03T18:02:43","date_gmt":"2017-02-03T16:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/?p=5289"},"modified":"2017-02-03T18:02:43","modified_gmt":"2017-02-03T16:02:43","slug":"andre-malraux-1901-1976-disait-de-la-culture-quelle-nous-apparait-comme-la-connaissance-de-ce-qui-a-fait-de-lhomme-autre-chose-quun-accident-de-lunivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/2017\/02\/03\/andre-malraux-1901-1976-disait-de-la-culture-quelle-nous-apparait-comme-la-connaissance-de-ce-qui-a-fait-de-lhomme-autre-chose-quun-accident-de-lunivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Andr\u00e9 Malraux (1901-1976) disait de la culture qu\u2019elle nous apparait comme \u00ab la connaissance de ce qui a fait de l\u2019homme autre chose qu\u2019un accident de l\u2019univers \u00bb."},"content":{"rendered":"

L\u2019histoire de l\u2019humanit\u00e9 est extr\u00eamement complexe, les conflits en sont en effet devenus innombrables, \u00e0 l\u2019image des guerres mondiales de 1914 \u00e0 1918, et de 1939 \u00e0 1945.
\nPourtant, le cours des \u00e9v\u00e9nements fourni \u00e9galement d\u2019excellents exemples de rapports sociaux harmonieux entre les individus, l\u2019essor du service civique en France en est l\u2019un des t\u00e9moins.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cette histoire tumultueuse se r\u00e9v\u00e8le-t-elle dans l\u2019h\u00e9ritage fran\u00e7ais ? Son ambivalence est-elle \u00e0 la source d\u2019une culture complexe et insaisissable ?
\nC\u2019est \u00e0 ces questions que les \u00e9tudiants Dickinson tenteront de r\u00e9pondre.<\/p>\n

Durant le premier semestre 2016, nos jeunes \u00e9tudiants ont eu l\u2019occasion de se rendre en excursion historique \u00e0 Rodez. Sous l\u2019\u0153il attentif de ses professeurs, Allen a pu constater la magnificence de la Cath\u00e9drale de la ville ainsi que le poids de l\u2019histoire qui pesait sur ses voutes.
\nL\u2019\u00e9difice dispose d\u2019un h\u00e9ritage tr\u00e8s lourd, puisque en plus d\u2019\u00eatre un lieu de recueillement permettant de se rapprocher du divin, elle \u00e9tait avant tout une fortification. Ses murs \u00e9taient autrefois partie int\u00e9grante de la muraille qui entourait la ville, et servaient de d\u00e9fense contre les agressions ext\u00e9rieures.
\nAinsi, un b\u00e2timent d\u2019une grande beaut\u00e9 architecturale dont les fonctions premi\u00e8res \u00e9taient tourn\u00e9es vers la religiosit\u00e9, se r\u00e9v\u00e8le aussi \u00eatre un outil de guerre.
\nEn cela, le caract\u00e8re tumultueux de l\u2019histoire de l\u2019humanit\u00e9 se retrouve dans notre h\u00e9ritage actuel.<\/p>\n

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La Cath\u00e9drale de Rodez n\u2019est toutefois pas le seul exemple d\u2019une ambivalence historique. L\u2019excursion \u00e0 Paris au mois d\u2019octobre 2016 a \u00e9galement permis \u00e0 Andr\u00e9a de contempler le ch\u00e2teau de Versailles, ancienne demeure des monarques de France.
\nLes ornements dor\u00e9s, l\u2019immense portail d\u2019entr\u00e9e et la grandeur des lieux t\u00e9moignent de caract\u00e8re majestueux de cet \u00e9difice. Pourtant, il n\u2019aura pas fallu longtemps \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9tudiante pour comprendre que le \u00ab diable s\u2019habille en Prada \u00bb (David Frankel 2006). Elle est en effet consciente de l\u2019histoire complexe de la France. Ce ch\u00e2teau, en plus d\u2019autres facteurs, a \u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e0 la source de la r\u00e9volution fran\u00e7aise de 1789. Le peuple ne supportant plus une vie de privation face aux exc\u00e8s de la monarchie.
\nL\u2019histoire de France laisse donc encore des traces de son pass\u00e9 ambivalent, mais elle n\u2019en demeure pas moins riche. Ainsi, il a \u00e9t\u00e9 ais\u00e9 pour les \u00e9tudiants de faire le rapprochement entre une histoire raffin\u00e9e et une culture contemporaine complexe.<\/p>\n

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L\u2019h\u00e9ritage l\u00e9gu\u00e9 par l\u2019histoire fran\u00e7aise est donc, en plus d\u2019\u00eatre ambivalent, \u00e0 la source de la culture actuelle et des rapports sociaux entre les individus. Les \u00e9tudiants de Dickinson sont d\u2019ailleurs en permanence confront\u00e9s \u00e0 ces legs.<\/p>\n

La France est connue pour \u00eatre le pays de la mode dans le monde entier. Les \u00e9v\u00e9nements d\u00e9di\u00e9s aux v\u00eatements sont effet monnaie courante dans l\u2019hexagone. Ashley constate d\u2019ailleurs \u00e0 l\u2019occasion d\u2019une vir\u00e9e shopping qu\u2019il y a un style vestimentaire, en particulier masculin, propre \u00e0 l\u2019Europe. Les fran\u00e7ais seraient plus \u00e0 l\u2019aise avec leur f\u00e9minit\u00e9, et l\u2019id\u00e9e selon laquelle la sexualit\u00e9 n\u2019est pas retranscrite par l\u2019habit. Quelles seraient alors les explications d\u2019un tel constat ?
\nLa conclusion \u00e0 laquelle parvient Ashley est que la culture serait \u00e0 l\u2019origine d\u2019une mode \u00e0 la fran\u00e7aise. Outre les habitudes alimentaires diff\u00e9rentes, un pass\u00e9 tumultueux conduirait n\u00e9cessairement \u00e0 une plus grande acceptation de l\u2019autre. Ladite acceptation permettrait une expression de la personnalit\u00e9 \u00e0 travers l\u2019habillement.
\nEn cela, l\u2019h\u00e9ritage de l\u2019histoire fran\u00e7aise complexe se mat\u00e9rialiserait encore aujourd\u2019hui dans les esprits inconscients des f\u00e9rus de mode.<\/p>\n

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Seulement, il ne pourrait il y avoir que des aspects positifs dans ce cycle. Les legs peuvent aussi mener \u00e0 des incompr\u00e9hensions. Ainsi, la culture ne serait pas choisie et accept\u00e9e, mais simplement impos\u00e9e et v\u00e9cue passivement.
\nLes f\u00eates de No\u00ebl viennent \u00e0 peine se terminer que d\u00e9j\u00e0 les questions sur les habitudes des fran\u00e7ais fusent. Le constat a \u00e9t\u00e9 dress\u00e9 qu\u2019il n\u2019y a qu\u2019une minorit\u00e9 de toulousains qui d\u00e9corent leurs maisons de lumi\u00e8res. Les explications de Louise se dirigeaient dans un premier temps vers des raisons d\u2019\u00e9conomie d\u2019\u00e9nergie. Pourtant, dans un deuxi\u00e8me temps, la stupeur \u00e9tait au rendez-vous lorsque la r\u00e9ponse \u00e9tait simplement : \u00ab cela ne se fait pas vraiment en France de d\u00e9corer sa maison avec des lumi\u00e8res lorsque c\u2019est No\u00ebl \u00bb.
\nL\u2019histoire peut alors fournir un h\u00e9ritage culturel passif, lequel se vit naturellement sans que des questionnements quant \u00e0 sa port\u00e9e ou sa source ne se posent.<\/p>\n

\"Toulose_Santa\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Finalement, n\u2019est-ce pas cela qui fait la beaut\u00e9 d\u2019une culture ? Ne pas comprendre sa provenance ni les raisons qui la justifient, mais simplement l\u2019appr\u00e9cier pour ce qu\u2019elle est ?
\nLes march\u00e9s de No\u00ebl sont courants en France, et ne pourraient en aucun cas se concevoir sans le traditionnel vin chaud. Que l\u2019on aime ou pas la boisson, impossible de passer \u00e0 c\u00f4t\u00e9 des effluves d\u2019\u00e9pices qui s\u2019\u00e9chappent des marmites le long des stands.
\nAlors que Georgina demandait \u00e0 son h\u00f4te des explications sur cette tradition, il lui a simplement r\u00e9pondu que sa m\u00e8re avait pour habitude de le faire quand il \u00e9tait petit, tout comme sa propre m\u00e8re avant elle\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Blog29\"<\/span><\/p>\n

La boucle est ainsi boucl\u00e9e. La culture est avant tout un h\u00e9ritage du pass\u00e9. Qu\u2019on la comprenne ou non, elle symbolise l\u2019appartenance \u00e0 une soci\u00e9t\u00e9. La complexit\u00e9 de l\u2019histoire fran\u00e7aise entraine n\u00e9cessairement une ambivalence culturelle. Certaines habitudes sont plaisantes, d\u2019autres non. Pour autant, il est bon de s\u2019immerger dans ce monde inconnu et d\u2019en d\u00e9crypter les codes.<\/p>\n

Et puis, la compr\u00e9hension d\u2019aujourd\u2019hui ne permet-elle pas de pr\u00e9parer demain ?<\/p>\n

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Micha\u00ebl Capdase<\/p>\n

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Andr\u00e9 Malraux (1901-1976) said that culture is what makes man something other than an accident of the universe.  <\/em><\/p>\n

Human history is extremely complex. Conflicts have become numerous, as seen in the first and second world wars.  However, history also provides excellent examples of social harmony between individuals. The growing popularity of community service in France is a testament to this.<\/em><\/p>\n

How does this tumultuous history manifest in French culture? Might such ambivalence be the source of a complex or maybe even an incomprehensible culture?<\/em><\/p>\n

Such are the questions that this group of Dickinson students will try to answer\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

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During the fall of 2016, our students had the opportunity to explore Rodez.  Under his professors\u2019 attentive gaze, Allen was able to realize the magnificence of the city\u2019s cathedral, as well as the weight of history contained in its vaults.  The building carries a heavy history, in addition to being a place of worship, a way to convene with the Divine, it was above all a fortification. The walls of the city served as defense against external aggressors. Thus, a building of great architectural beauty with a primarily religious function reveals itself to also be an instrument of war. In this manner, the tumultuous character of human history is found in our modern heritage.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Rodez Cathedral is not the only example of ambivalent history. In October 2016 during the Paris excursion,  Andrea took the time  to contemplate Versailles, the former chateau of French monarchs. The gilded ornaments, the immense entrance and the grandeur of the palace stand as evidence of the majestic character of this edifice. However, it does not take long for students to understand that \u201cthe Devil Wears Prada\u201d. Aware of the complex history of France, Andrea understands that the chateau, along with other factors, were at the heart of the French Revolution of 1789. The working-class refused to tolerate a life of deprivation while the monarchy\u2019s enjoyed a life of excess. Therefore, despite the traces of a violent past, French culture remains very rich. Thus, it is easy for students to understand the relationship between a refined history and a complex, contemporary culture.<\/em><\/p>\n

Beyond being ambivalent, French historical heritage is the source of our modern culture and the basis of social relations.  Dickinson students are continually confronted by this legacy.<\/em><\/p>\n

France is known for being the fashion center of the world. Key fashion events are commonplace within the Hexagone. Ashley, out on a shopping spree, noticed that there is a distinct European style unique, particularly for men. French men are more at ease with their femininity and with the idea that their sexuality is not defined by their clothing. What could explain this observation? The conclusion that Ashley reached is that \u201cFrench fashion\u201d originates from its culture. A tumultuous past has led to a great acceptation of others. This tolerance permits personal expression through clothing. In this way, the impact of a complex, French history materializes today in the subconscious of people with a passion for fashion.<\/em><\/p>\n

There are not only positive aspects to this cycle. Legacies can also lead to misconceptions. Thus, culture is not chosen or accepted, but simply imposed and experienced passively.<\/em><\/p>\n

Just as Christmas celebrations were beginning, the students had questions about French customs. Students observed that only a small number of Toulousains decorate their homes with lights. Louise first attributed this choice to energy conservation. However, she was surprised to find that the response was simply \u201cThat is not how it is done; we don\u2019t decorate our houses with Christmas lights in France\u201d. History can provide passive, cultural heritage, naturally without question of its manifestation or source.<\/em><\/p>\n

Overall, does not this opacity make culture more beautiful? Not completely understanding its origins nor its justifications, nor reasons, but simply appreciating it for what it is? <\/em><\/p>\n

Christmas markets are common in France, and could not exist without traditional mulled wine for sale.  One may or may not like the drink, but it is impossible to miss the wafts of spices that rise from large cooking pots among the booths. <\/em>
\n When Georgina asked her host to explain this tradition, the answer was simply that her mother used to make it when she was a child, just like her own mother before her.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The cycle continues. Culture is, above all, inherited from the past. Whether you understand it or not, it symbolizes one\u2019s belonging to a particular society. The complexity of French history necessitates cultural diversity. Certain customs are pleasant, others are not. Either way, it is important to immerse oneself in an unknown world, and decrypt the social codes.<\/em><\/p>\n

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As such, maybe by better comprehending today might we better prepare for tomorrow?<\/em><\/p>\n

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Micha\u00ebl Capdase<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

L\u2019histoire de l\u2019humanit\u00e9 est extr\u00eamement complexe, les conflits en sont en effet devenus innombrables, \u00e0 l\u2019image des guerres mondiales de 1914 \u00e0 1918, et de 1939 \u00e0 1945. Pourtant, le cours des \u00e9v\u00e9nements fourni \u00e9galement d\u2019excellents exemples de rapports sociaux harmonieux entre les individus, l\u2019essor du service civique en France en est l\u2019un des t\u00e9moins. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[107324],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1-la-une-en-francais"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/126"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5289\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/toulouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}