In this medico-historical note, the author suggests an explanation of the wound inflicted on the heroine’s fingers in the final line of the Rimbaud’s poem The Hands of Jeanne-Marie. He attributes it to one of the means of restraining a prisoner used during the Commune, the "thumb screw", which must be distinguished from the chains. He gives a short history of this object, including its use as torture in penal colonies. He dismisses some interpretations of this shocking image.
CLIL theme: 4027 -- SCIENCES HUMAINES ET SOCIALES, LETTRES -- Lettres et Sciences du langage -- Lettres -- Etudes littéraires générales et thématiques
ISBN:978-2-406-14632-2
EAN:9782406146322
ISSN: 2262-2268
DOI: 10.48611/isbn.978-2-406-14632-2.p.0335
Publisher: Classiques Garnier
Online publication: 03-15-2023
Periodicity: Annual
Language: French
Keyword: blood, chains, the Commune, fingers, torture