Online Archive of University of Virginia Scholarship
"Equity and Amerindian Languages and Cultures in the Essais of Michel de Montaigne959 views
Author
Connolly, Shannon, French - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia
Advisors
McKinley, Mary, Department of French Language and Literatures, University of Virginia
McGrady, Deborah, Department of French Language and Literatures, University of Virginia
Levine, Alison, Department of French Language and Literatures, University of Virginia
Padron, Ricardo, Department for Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, University of Virginia
Abstract
In my dissertation, “Equity and Amerindian Languages and Cultures in the Essais of Michel de Montaigne,” I argue that Montaigne draws upon the judicial procedure of equity in the exercise of his skepticism. Equity was an ancient Greek and Roman judicial procedure, as well as a social and political value that characterized these classical societies. I contextualize equity within classical antiquity and point to its continued presence in medieval and early modern jurisprudence. My analysis of equity in several chapters of the Essais leads me to conclude that Montaigne relied upon this judicial technique to present Amerindian languages and cultures to his readers. Furthermore, I observe that his use of equity harmonizes with these languages and cultures themselves. I therefore maintain that equity, and the Amerindian languages and cultures that Montaigne treats through this judicial procedure, are key to his skepticism. Thus, I conclude that Montaigne used equity in conjunction with New World languages and cultures to teach his readers how to judge both themselves and Amerindians.
Degree
PHD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Rights
All rights reserved (no additional license for public reuse)
Connolly, Shannon. "Equity and Amerindian Languages and Cultures in the Essais of Michel de Montaigne. University of Virginia, French - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, PHD (Doctor of Philosophy), 2014-12-18, https://doi.org/10.18130/V3QN9S.
