Hannah Friedman

Hannah Friedman, an Assistant Professor in Romance Languages and Literatures, dives into the intriguing world of Belle Époque classifieds in Third Republic France. She reveals how these ads became a hidden hub for deviant sexualities and independent livelihoods, particularly for women. Friedman discusses the clash between press freedom and societal fears of pornography, the coded language used in these ads, and the moral crusades that sought to clamp down on visibility. Her analysis uncovers the complex interplay of media, sexuality, and power during a time of significant cultural change.