Abstract
Written simultaneously for the insiders and outsiders of Natalie Barney's Académie des Femmes, Djuna Barnes's cryptic, playful Ladies Almanack publicizes the coterie's private lives and loves. By positing Barnes's text as a descendent of Les Caquets de l'accouchée, an early work of gossip literature, this essay shows how Barnes critiques and subverts social norms through the seemingly trivial chatter of women's talk. In so doing, she underscores the significance of women's words, redefines the boundary between the public eye and the private life, turns gossip toward progressive ends, and establishes powerful, long-lasting communities of readers and critics.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.