Essay Questions

Is gender segregation the main theme in The Years by Annie Ernaux?

The author discusses the issues of gender segregation widely in the introductory parts of her memoir, and it emerges as one of the main themes throughout the book. In her early days, the narrator recalls how women were segregated and discriminated against by men. Surprisingly, the narrator remembers how the Catholic Church played a big role in discriminating against girls. For instance, the church cautioned men on how to interact with women and directed the specific roles that were to be assigned to women. Consequently, men continued to remain the superior members of society while a woman's place was underrated.

How does the narrator rediscover herself in the early 1980s?

The narrator always wanted to know what it felt like for a woman to be independent and make her own decisions. For many years, women were under the authority of men, and they always obliged what men commanded. In the early 1980s, the narrator decided to divorce her husband and live independently. After the divorce, the narrator started a new life, and she discovered that she had the potential to perform better than men. She decided to become an activist to fight for the rights of women in society. The narrator did not advocate for divorce, but she asked women to make independent decisions and use their potential.

What is the impact of the dwindling of Catholicism in France?

After WWII, the authority of the Catholic Church in France dwindled, and the new generation became rebellious. Initially, the Catholic Church dictated the specific doctrines that all members of society had to follow. However, the new generation opposed Catholicism and decided to make individual decisions that influenced their lives. For instance, women discovered that they could govern themselves and they can become economically independent. During this time, the narrator decided to experience new freedom after getting a divorce from her husband.