The Braid: Symbolism and Narrative Structure in La Tresse by Laetitia Colombani

In a world marked by complexity and upheaval, literature serves as a medium to explore human struggles, with women’s literature, in particular, addressing the condition of women across diverse societies and cultures. Laetitia Colombani, a French filmmaker, actress, screenwriter, and novelist, published her debut novel, La Tresse, in 2017. This work interweaves the narratives of three women from distinct cultural and geographical backgrounds, each displaying remarkable resilience in confronting the adversities imposed upon them. In India, Smita, an Untouchable, rejects societal constraints and the predetermined fate dictated by her caste, striving to secure a better future for her daughter. In Sicily, Giulia endeavors to rescue her family’s business from financial ruin. In Canada, Sarah, a highly accomplished lawyer, faces the personal and professional challenges of battling cancer. Through these three interconnected yet independent narratives, Colombani constructs a compelling portrait of female strength and perseverance on a global scale.

The motif of the braid is not merely an evocative title but a recurring thematic and structural element throughout the novel. It functions as the unifying thread of the narrative. The aim of this study is to examine the symbolic significance of the braid while also elucidating its structural implications in the novel’s composition. Adopting a thematic and narratological approach, this analysis seeks to address the following question: in what ways does the concept of the braid contribute to the construction of Colombani’s fictional universe? This study will first explore the braid as a metaphor before demonstrating how the novel’s narrative framework itself mirrors a braided structure. By doing so, the research will underscore the novel’s overarching themes of hope, resilience, and solidarity, highlighting its artistic and literary merit as a powerful homage to women and life itself.

Keywords: Braid, Women, Struggle, Multiplicity, Narratology.