Imaginary histories: ancient Egypt in the writings of Marguerite Yourcenar and Philippe Derchain

This published version of a memorial lecture in honour of Philippe Derchain discusses Marguerite Yourcenar’s treatment of Ancient Egypt in her writings, and compares Derchain’s literary writings in order to suggest similarities and differences in their handling of Ancient Egyptian sources, especiall...

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Main Author: Parkinson, R
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Helmut Buske Verlag 2019
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author Parkinson, R
author_facet Parkinson, R
author_sort Parkinson, R
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description This published version of a memorial lecture in honour of Philippe Derchain discusses Marguerite Yourcenar’s treatment of Ancient Egypt in her writings, and compares Derchain’s literary writings in order to suggest similarities and differences in their handling of Ancient Egyptian sources, especially the Monte Pincio obelisk. An examination of Yourcenar’s sources shows how she, as a ‘queer’ writer, prioritised Hadrien’s emotional experiences over factual accuracy and official heteronormative expectations. Both authors championed a selfreflexive use of imagination in dealing with ancient sources, and a concern for the ‘inner life’ of ancient people.
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spelling oxford-uuid:deac1d0c-ea1f-4363-a1b7-f46a6bf3ced72022-03-27T09:33:58ZImaginary histories: ancient Egypt in the writings of Marguerite Yourcenar and Philippe DerchainJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:deac1d0c-ea1f-4363-a1b7-f46a6bf3ced7EnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordHelmut Buske Verlag2019Parkinson, RThis published version of a memorial lecture in honour of Philippe Derchain discusses Marguerite Yourcenar’s treatment of Ancient Egypt in her writings, and compares Derchain’s literary writings in order to suggest similarities and differences in their handling of Ancient Egyptian sources, especially the Monte Pincio obelisk. An examination of Yourcenar’s sources shows how she, as a ‘queer’ writer, prioritised Hadrien’s emotional experiences over factual accuracy and official heteronormative expectations. Both authors championed a selfreflexive use of imagination in dealing with ancient sources, and a concern for the ‘inner life’ of ancient people.
spellingShingle Parkinson, R
Imaginary histories: ancient Egypt in the writings of Marguerite Yourcenar and Philippe Derchain
title Imaginary histories: ancient Egypt in the writings of Marguerite Yourcenar and Philippe Derchain
title_full Imaginary histories: ancient Egypt in the writings of Marguerite Yourcenar and Philippe Derchain
title_fullStr Imaginary histories: ancient Egypt in the writings of Marguerite Yourcenar and Philippe Derchain
title_full_unstemmed Imaginary histories: ancient Egypt in the writings of Marguerite Yourcenar and Philippe Derchain
title_short Imaginary histories: ancient Egypt in the writings of Marguerite Yourcenar and Philippe Derchain
title_sort imaginary histories ancient egypt in the writings of marguerite yourcenar and philippe derchain
work_keys_str_mv AT parkinsonr imaginaryhistoriesancientegyptinthewritingsofmargueriteyourcenarandphilippederchain