Prison Writing and the Algerian War of Independence

Emilie Morin

Prison Writing and the Algerian War of Independence

English and Related Literature

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter explores the distinctive ties that arose between writing and political detention during the Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962), through a rich prison literature which associates prison life with the emergence of new forms of political memory and awareness. The chapter examines in particular depth the testimonial literature written by political prisoners detained at Barberousse-Serkadji, a prison whose momentous history parallels the colonial history of Algeria. The testimonies, memoirs, letters, poems, plays and novels describing political detention during this period shed light on the unique forms of political memory preserved in prison writing, and on the emancipatory role that writing itself can play in circumstances of extreme duress.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Prison Writing and the Literary World
Subtitle of host publication	Imprisonment, Institutionality and Questions of Literary Practice
Editors	Michelle Kelly, Claire Westall
Publisher	Routledge
Chapter	4
Pages	77-92
Number of pages	16
ISBN (Print)	9780367616236
Publication status	Published - Oct 2020

Cite this

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AB - This chapter explores the distinctive ties that arose between writing and political detention during the Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962), through a rich prison literature which associates prison life with the emergence of new forms of political memory and awareness. The chapter examines in particular depth the testimonial literature written by political prisoners detained at Barberousse-Serkadji, a prison whose momentous history parallels the colonial history of Algeria. The testimonies, memoirs, letters, poems, plays and novels describing political detention during this period shed light on the unique forms of political memory preserved in prison writing, and on the emancipatory role that writing itself can play in circumstances of extreme duress.

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