41 pages 1 hour read

Natalie Zemon Davis

The Return of Martin Guerre

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1983

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Essay Topics

1.

Davis attempts to justify “the invented marriage” between Bertrande de Rols and the new Martin; do these efforts reveal a feminist agenda, or is Davis simply a romantic? 

2.

In the Epilogue, Davis mentions that there may have been an “armistice” between Martin Guerre and his wife, Bertrande, once they reunited. What do you think might have been the terms of their armistice? What difficulties might they have faced as they reconciled?

3.

Which of the following genres best suit this work of literature: non-fiction, creative history, or legend? Explain your choice and support it with evidence from the book.