The Return of Martin Guerre depicts the crafty scheme of a clever man in a historic case of identity theft. The Return of Martin Guerre serves as one of the most complete and full accounts of this vivid tale from 16th century rural France. Through deep research and analysis, Davis is able to accurately produce a historical reconstruction of Arnaud De Tilh: the peasant who became Martin Guerre.
Natalie Zemon Davis is a leading European historian. She graduated from Smith College, earned a master’s degree from Radcliffe College, and received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. She taught at Brown University, the University of Toronto, and the University of California at Berkeley. Davis worked at Princeton University until her retirement in 1996. Davis is known for her in-depth expert research and her ability to relate class and culture of Europe. Throughout her life, she has been awarded the Holberg International Memorial Prize, National Humanities Medal, and has been named Companion of the Order of Canada.
The novel opens with a depiction of the current state of affairs amidst the struggle of …show more content…
Instead, Davis bases her conclusion on logic and inference. Her inferences make the most sense to me. They seem more likely to have been the actual events that occurred rather than the fabled argument of other historians. It can also be argued that Bertrand had such a deep desire to get her husband back that she overlooked numerous differences. As a woman seeking the return of support, love, and status she may have accepted that Martin’s time away had changed him. This misidentification occurs even today as family members who seek the return of loved ones are willing to convince themselves of just about anything. The brain is a powerful and manipulative tool, making the confusions of Bertrand a very real
Natalie Zemon Davis is a leading European historian. She graduated from Smith College, earned a master’s degree from Radcliffe College, and received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. She taught at Brown University, the University of Toronto, and the University of California at Berkeley. Davis worked at Princeton University until her retirement in 1996. Davis is known for her in-depth expert research and her ability to relate class and culture of Europe. Throughout her life, she has been awarded the Holberg International Memorial Prize, National Humanities Medal, and has been named Companion of the Order of Canada.
The novel opens with a depiction of the current state of affairs amidst the struggle of …show more content…
Instead, Davis bases her conclusion on logic and inference. Her inferences make the most sense to me. They seem more likely to have been the actual events that occurred rather than the fabled argument of other historians. It can also be argued that Bertrand had such a deep desire to get her husband back that she overlooked numerous differences. As a woman seeking the return of support, love, and status she may have accepted that Martin’s time away had changed him. This misidentification occurs even today as family members who seek the return of loved ones are willing to convince themselves of just about anything. The brain is a powerful and manipulative tool, making the confusions of Bertrand a very real