Belleville rouge, Belleville noir, Belleville rose: The Complex Identity of a Parisian quartier
Carolyn Stott
The Parisian quartier of Belleville has long been the subject scholarly literature and popular culture due to its colourful history diverse population. Its symbolic boundaries extend beyond geographical limits imposed by administrative demarcation. Myths abound as extent rebellious past, contemporary image a melting pot prevalence décor for noir genre. In this article three-tiered categorisation is adopted which corresponds various representations suburb in literature, from perspective inhabitants. rouge reflects quartier’s revolutionary past late 20th century struggle associated with physical metamorphosis. focusses on criminal face, it depicted film roman exists reality. rose highlights pleasures quartier: cosmopolitan character whose representation verges at times utopian. his Malaussène series (1985-1995), writer former resident Daniel Pennac portrays unique blend rouge, rose. This fusion fairy tale, detective fiction, myth reality establishes complex Bellevillois identity distinct other representations. concludes that impossible associate single Belleville. face inextricably linked memory preserved inhabitants social literary commentators such Pennac. keeping historian Pierre Nora’s concept cultural memory, thus assumes role guardian Belleville’s perpetual evolution.
Portal: journal of multidisciplinary international studies|DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)