Du discours sociologique à l’imaginaire nationaliste: Barrès et le bon usage des boucs émissaires

The three parts of the scapegoat cognitive mechanism (crisis, aggressiveness to an individual or a minority group, catharsis which restores even strengthens the cohesion of the social group) are present in Barrès’ novels, especially in the trilogy Le Roman de l’énergie nationale. The presence of scapegoats in these novels presents a number of peculiarities, that is why it cannot be interpreted using an external interpretative model, like René Girard’s. In regards to the historical context, it takes on a different perspective. The scapegoat representation in these novels helped Barrès develop a nationalist ideology, during the time of the Dreyfus’ affair, as well as his observation of a social crisis which he calls uprooting. This representation connects to the rising sociological thoughts, because the scapegoat has been used by Durkheim to explain anti-Semitism. However, Barrès and Durkheim diverge: the sociologist gives a demystifying explanation, whereas the nationalist novelist uses the scapegoat to introduce his readers to the necessity of defending the social body against invaders