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Le Handicap dans la Littérature Féminine au XIXe Siècle en France
Ying Wang, PhD
Associate Professor, Modern Languages and Cultures
What is the English translation of this title?
Well, I suggest a translation that goes beyond a word-for-word rendering. I propose translating the title as Representation of Disability in Nineteenth-Century French Women's Writing, which better captures the essential theme of this work while ensuring clarity and readability in English. One of the persistent myths about translation is that it is merely an exercise in finding exact word equivalences. In reality, translation requires interpretation, nuance, and an understanding of context to convey meaning effectively.
What is the central theme of your book?
The central theme of my book is the complex and often overlooked role of disability in nineteenth-century French women’s literature. This study explores how disabled figures are represented in the novels of four women writers, revealing how these portrayals intersect with gender, social norms, and the constraints placed on women’s writing at the time. Grounded in a feminist perspective and informed by Disability Studies, my analysis situates these literary works within their broader socio-cultural and historical contexts. Through close readings of the texts, it explores how these authors used disability as both a narrative and ideological tool to challenge dominant perceptions of disability and womanhood.
What inspired you to write this book?
I was primarily inspired by feminist disability scholar Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, whose groundbreaking work integrating disability into feminist studies has reshaped the way we analyze women’s literature. Her insights encouraged me to explore how nineteenth-century French women writers engaged with disability in their works, reflecting upon its significance as both a literary device and a means of challenging societal norms on gender and the body.
Why is this book important in your field? What does it contribute to the current body of knowledge on this topic?
Since the 1970s, feminist literary criticism has extensively examined how difference and identity are constructed through gender, race, and sexuality. However, it has largely overlooked how nineteenth-century women writers represented and engaged with disability in their works. My book fills this critical gap by being the first to analyze these women’s novels through the interdisciplinary lens of feminism and Disability Studies. By bringing these perspectives together, my study not only offers new insights on the representation of disability in women’s literature but also challenges traditional readings of these texts, demonstrating how disability operates as a crucial site of meaning, resistance, and literary innovation.
Tell me about a particularly special moment in writing this book.
When I was writing the last chapter, analyzing the conclusion of Juliette Lamber’s novel, Laide, I found myself completely stuck for several days. I was struggling to find the writing strategy she used to convey her feminist spirit in the novel’s final moments. It felt like a puzzle I couldn’t solve, no matter how much I thought about the text. Then, one night, I had a dream—one that unexpectedly brought me the inspiration I needed. When I woke up, everything became clear. The dream had given me the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of Lamber’s conclusion, allowing me to craft the analysis that I had been searching for.
What is the one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope readers come away with a deeper recognition of how nineteenth-century French women writers contributed to literary history by challenging societal perceptions of disability. Their works not only gave voice to marginalized experiences but also reshaped the way disability was represented in literature, making them essential to both feminist and Disability Studies.
What other books have you published?
I have two book translations from French to Chinese, one is La Biographie de George Sand (乔治.桑传) by Martine Reid and the other is La Vie Quotidienne des Surréalists 1917-1932 （超现实主义者的生活 （1917-1932) by Pierre Daix.
Fun facts
When did you join Dyson College?
2011
What motivates you as a teacher?
Both of my parents were college educators, and they served as my role models. However, my motivation to teach didn’t come from a single source—it feels as though teaching is ingrained in me, a passion that flows naturally from my heart. When I’m in the classroom, I experience a deep sense of fulfillment and joy that I can’t find anywhere else.
What do you do in your spare time; to relax/unwind?
I love staying active with Zumba and yoga at the gym. During spring and summer, I’m a dedicated gardener, tending to my small garden. I also enjoy creating beautiful flower arrangements.
What are you reading right now?
I’m currently reading Judith Gautier’s novels for my next research project, which explores the relationship between East Asian fantasies and the writing strategies of 19th-century French women writers.