Citizen

Meaning

Related words and phrases.

Citoyen and citoyenne name civic membership and serve as revolutionary forms of address. Their routine use does not eliminate hierarchy, suspicion, affection or older titles. Élodie calls Gamelin “monsieur” when asking his judgement on her embroidery; he replies “citoyenne.” Later the mother calls Brotteaux “monsieur.” Such variation is part of the social texture, not a transcription error. The English uses “Citizen” for both French genders, so the gendered address is less visible, while preserved “Monsieur” makes changes of register audible.