Can National History Include a Feminist Reflection on History

摘要: To explore the many theoretical links between feminism and nationalism, this article follows authors: Benedict Anderson, George Mosse, Cynthia Enloe, Ida Bloom Susan Mann. The author presents new interpretations of four episodes in national history: ideas about women among "Patriots 1837 Rebellion"; relationship FrenchCanadian nationalism first half twentieth century; sexual symbolism found writings radical nationalists during 1960s; sweet sour feminists Parti Quebecois. Cet examine plusieurs commentaires theoriques sur les hens entre le feminisme et nationalisme cite des auteurs comme II rel/ve par la suite de nouvelles concernant quatre l'histoire nationale : Wes Patriotes revolution femmes, canadien-fran4;ais en relation avec premiere partie du XXI siecle, symbolique sexuelle que Yon trouve dans &-rits nationalistes extremistes ann6es 1960, liens aigres-doux feministes quebecois. In matter history, one must never utter a false word. One always strive to speak all truth. - Cicero Ohe following is reflection three years making. At eighteenth International Congress Historical Sciences Montreal, 1995, I took part colloquium Federation for Research Women's History. topic was Women, Colonialisms, Imperialisms Nationalisms through Ages. It an extraordinary opportunity compare consider paradoxical that often exist nationalism. colloquium, there talk on Ireland. We were told Irish suffragettes very active at turn century, they focussed attention dichotomy private public. But after 1921 Independence victory, suffragists silent. "The family, as locus traditional culture morality, deemed by state, church pressure groups be need protection from foreign corrupting influences. By placing family centre culture, nation came symbolized more motherhood sanctity Catholic family" (Gray Ryan 126). saw parallels history Ireland Quebec. This gave me idea examining detail role product extensive reading. present, my subject mainstream terms research being conducted women. general question, not particular sub-question, although, studies most seem evolve parallel, without interference. main affirmation remains nationalist movements are influenced gender. According Joan Wallach-Scott, gender element social relationships based perceived differences sexes, primary way signifying power. Changes organization correspond changes representation power, but change necessarily way. As constitutive involves interrelated elements: first, culturally available symbols evoke multiple (and contradictory) representations. Second, normative concepts set forth meaning symbols, attempts limit contain their metaphoric possibilities. These expressed religious, educational, scientific, legal political doctrines typically take form fixed binary opposition categorically unequivocally asserting male female, masculine, feminine. …