Joan of Arc: The Image of Female Heroism
Anne Llewellyn Barstow|Marina Warner
Book synopsis: The fame of Joan Arc began in her lifetime and, though it has dipped a little now and then, she never vanished from view. Her image acts as seismograph for the shifts settlings personal political ideals: is heroine every movement wanted their figurehead. In France, anti-semitic, xenophobic, extreme right parties have claimed since Action Francaise 19th century. By contrast, Socialists, feminists, liberal Catholics rallied to champion dispossessed wrongly accused. also played crucial role changing visions female heroism. She proved an inexhaustible source inspiration writers, playwrights, film-makers, performers, composers. single, brief life, several essential mythopoiec characteristics that throughout history defined charismatic leader saint are powerfully intensely condensed. Even while was still alive, but far more so after death, heroic part story sparked narratives all kinds, pictures, ballads, plays, satires. This only heightened 1841-9 by publication Inquisition trial which had examined witchcraft heresy. transcript interrogations gives us voice this young woman across centuries with almost unbearable immediacy; spirit leaps page, uncompromising its frankness, good sense, courage, often breathtaking simple effectiveness. into one most fully vividly present personalities history, about whom great known, own words at first hand, than is, example, Shakespeare. However, not stopped flow fictions fantasies her. Marina Warner analyses symbolism Maid time rich afterlife popular culture. cultural expressions ongoing historical struggle symbol - you could say, brand. new preface study, takes stock continuing contention, politics culture, powerful virtue. Arc's multiple resurrections transformations show how vigorous need figures like remains, meet thoughtfulness. argues abandoning search identify heroes define them, out kind high-minded distaste propaganda, lets dangerous factions manipulate them ends. When Marine Le Pen calls on name, needs be confronted bad faith abuse history.
The American Historical Review