Pacifism and the Vilification of Women in Gance’s J’accuse

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of shell shock (a form of PTSD) experienced by soldiers during WWI and its representation through the film of the era, J’accuse. Through this paper, I explore themes of not only shell shock but also pacifism, French nationalism and the vilification of women. While J’accuse was originally intended to be a pacifist film as it displayed the dark effects of shell shock on the soldiers returning from war, my analysis found that the filmmaker’s intent was to be a pacifist unless war was necessary to defend France. Moreover, misogyny persisted throughout the film as soldiers who experienced shell shock tended to blame and vilify women as contributors or profiteers from war. As part of this analysis, I researched the topic using J’accuse directed by Abel Gance, The Parade’s Gone By by Kevin Brownlow, and Shell Shock and Medical Culture in First World War Britain by Tracey Loughran.