The paper seeks to explore the motif of blood, as it appears in various forms in all civilization... more The paper seeks to explore the motif of blood, as it appears in various forms in all civilizational and cultural areas. Based on the genre- and culturally diverse texts from the material sample, the authors will present the basic and plot-motif stable forms of the blood motif in ancient culture-forming narratives and outline their archetypal significance.
The study focuses on plot motifs in ancient Indian narratives. It seeks to clarify the fundamenta... more The study focuses on plot motifs in ancient Indian narratives. It seeks to clarify the fundamental principles and world structure depicted in them, with a special emphasis on the value axis “life superficit – life deficit”. In some respects, it differs radically from the Euro-American model, as implied by comparable literary works of Western provenance. The comparative analysis will not deal with generic, but only typological connections. The paper also considers the fact that there are no direct genealogical equivalences between the compared narratives.
The immediate connection between imperialism and globalization inevitably presupposes a detailed ... more The immediate connection between imperialism and globalization inevitably presupposes a detailed examination of the power relations that governed the twentieth century. Literature from the former colonies often provides a clearer picture of various manifestations of such power dynamics in local practices. The cultural or economic exchanges involved in the process are dismantled through local mini-narratives which challenge and reconceptualise the notion of the (formerly) colonized subject and its role and position within a global framework. The prominent Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is well-known as a politically and socially active writer who strongly emphasizes the responsibility of the writer to react to historical, political, or economic reality that s/he is a part of. As an advocate of a socially committed writing that exercises the power of literature to contribute to social transformation, he posits the writer right into the centre of action. This chapter seeks to explore Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s fiction in terms of the connections between local practices and larger global forces that shape the character of the postcolonial world in the post-independence period. Ngũgĩ’s preference of a socialist vision of the world clearly shapes his understanding and portrayal of the neo-colonial influence and the consequences of imperial policy in his native Kenya. The paper addresses the issue of globalization and neo-colonialism in Ngũgĩ’s later fiction, i.e. his novels Petals of Blood and Devil on the Cross, and reads it critically against his preferred ideological framework. By doing so, the paper seeks to demonstrate the rootedness of his considerations in the ‘glocal’ context of the postcolonial world.
The paper seeks to examine different forms and functions of storytelling in two selected dystopia... more The paper seeks to examine different forms and functions of storytelling in two selected dystopian novels, namely Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale (1985) and Johanna Sinisalo's The Core of the Sun (2016). Approaching the novels through the lens of dystopian fiction, the comparative analysis focuses on the use of language and storytelling as a form of resistance against oppression. Embedded in the very title of Margaret Atwood's most famous novel, the motif of storytelling proves to be one of the central building stones of her narrative. Offred's fragmentary, and often unreliable, tale not only provides a piercing portrait of a crude dystopian reality, it also symbolically challenges and undermines the authority of Gilead's regime. Sinisalo's Finnish weird novel also features a troubled young woman trapped in a dystopian system of government. She challenges and subverts the regime of the Eusistocratic Republic of Finland not only symbolically but also...
The paper focuses on the phenomenon of urban fantasy with a particular interest in the topos of a... more The paper focuses on the phenomenon of urban fantasy with a particular interest in the topos of a city, which assumes great significance as a thematic and motivic element in the subgenre. The authors touch upon the relation between (sub)genre and topos/topoi in general, but also more specifically, between urban fantasy and the city, regarding the urban area as a distinct setting with a specific atmosphere, character or genius loci. Within this frame, the paper seeks to exemplify the aforementioned relations through an interpretative study of Neil Gaiman’s novel Neverwhere, which breathes life into the London underground scene. London Below comes to personify, literally, the vices of London Above via the use of anthropomorphic strategies. Moreover, the spatial peculiarities of the novel not only contribute to the creation of the fantastical atmosphere but they also function as a vehicle of social critique and a constitutive element of the protagonist’s transformation.
In the postcolonial context, language represents one of the crucial tools of cultural communicati... more In the postcolonial context, language represents one of the crucial tools of cultural communication and is therefore often a subject of heated discussion. Since language constitutes the framework of cultural interaction, postcolonial authors often challenge the privileged position of Standard English within their writing by modifying and substituting it with new forms and varieties. The Trinidad-born writer Sam Selvon belongs to a handful of Caribbean authors who initiated linguistic experiments in the context of Caribbean literature and is considered one of the first Caribbean writers to employ dialect in a novel. His 1956 novel The Lonely Londoners reflects the possibilities of vernacular experimentation and thus communicates the specific experience of a particular cultural group in an authentic way.
In its essence, postcolonial literature evolved as an opposition to colonial discourse and ideolo... more In its essence, postcolonial literature evolved as an opposition to colonial discourse and ideological representation of the colonized subject inherent in colonial narratives. Springing out of the need to reconceptualize and reconstitute their communities, postcolonial writers often addressed the pressing historical and political issues of that time in their writing. In its early stages, postcolonial literature was therefore often marked by a strong sense of nationalism, interweaving fictional stories with the public narrative of pre-independence ideology. The paper seeks to explore the border between the public and the private in the early novels of the Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. Just as his contemporaries in other colonized countries, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o tends to utilize literature as a powerful tool for raising national awareness. The pre-independence period, in which Ngũgĩ’s novels are set, is marked by a certain degree of romanticism and idealism, yet there is also ...
In many ways, Ngũgĩ‘s collection Secret Lives and Other Stories (1975) foreshadows his latternove... more In many ways, Ngũgĩ‘s collection Secret Lives and Other Stories (1975) foreshadows his latternovels and their thematic preoccupations as it portrays colonial encounters and social and political upheavals in (post)colonial Kenya. The paper focuses primarily on selected stories included in the second section of the collection which revolve around the theme of fighters and martyrs. Ngũgĩ‘s adoption of Christian imagery, on which he relies quite heavily in his novels as well, enables him to articulate the ambivalent position and conflicts of his characters, both African and European. The motif of martyrdom is associated both with the clashing worlds of Christianity and the Gikuyu religion (addressing primarily the subject of conversion), and the Mau Mau revolt which inevitably required communal sacrifices. The paper ponders on the various modifications of the motif and its potential functions.
The immediate connection between imperialism and globalization inevitably presupposes a detailed ... more The immediate connection between imperialism and globalization inevitably presupposes a detailed examination of the power relations that governed the twentieth century. Literature from the former colonies often provides a clearer picture of various manifestations of such power dynamics in local practices. The cultural or economic exchanges involved in the process are dismantled through local mini-narratives which challenge and reconceptualise the notion of the (formerly) colonized subject and its role and position within a global framework. The prominent Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is well-known as a politically and socially active writer who strongly emphasizes the responsibility of the writer to react to historical, political, or economic reality that s/he is a part of. As an advocate of a socially committed writing that exercises the power of literature to contribute to social transformation, he posits the writer right into the centre of action. This chapter seeks to explore ...
THE imperial quest1 of the 19th century superpowers was unprecedented in human history. By 1914, ... more THE imperial quest1 of the 19th century superpowers was unprecedented in human history. By 1914, Europe held “a grand total of roughly 85 percent of the earth as colonies, protectorates, dependencies, dominions, and commonwealths” (Said 1994, 8). Both imperialism and colonialism were driven and supported by an impressive ideological platform that sustained and fed the system. The rightfulness associated with the expansivity of colonial powers was conveniently derived from the notions of inferiority and backwardness that were attributed to the populations of the newly acquired territories; these, in fact, not only helped to justify the massive geographical extension of the empire but also created the illusion of legitimacy of the whole process. According to imperial policies, some nations and territories simply seemed to be in need of domination and control; they required regulation and direction, both political and cultural. The self-imposed right to execute a civilizing mission in ...
The paper seeks to provide a thematological analysis of folk tale types 461 and 930 (“protected b... more The paper seeks to provide a thematological analysis of folk tale types 461 and 930 (“protected by fate”) and to identify their thematic and motivic intersections of intercultural validity in terms of existential semiotics within the comparative frame of European and Asian literary traditions. The invariant semanteme of all mentioned myths, fairy tales or legends resides in the unsuccessful endeavour of a high-ranking, powerful man to kill a person predestined to become his successor. In many cases, the storyline of this thousand year-old motif also includes well-known biblical motifs, such as, massacre of the innocents, a heavenly sign and fulfilment of the prophecy.
David Grossman’s experimental text Falling Out of Time (2011) examines the theme of the death of ... more David Grossman’s experimental text Falling Out of Time (2011) examines the theme of the death of a child and parents’ attempts to understand and cope with the loss. In order to represent and articulate the sense of unbearable pain and grief, Grossman employs several strategies and techniques related to both content and form which allow for a perspective that is both artistically engaging and sensitive. One of the obvious formal features of the text is his use of poetry, which seemingly represents the most natural means to express the raw emotions and pain of his characters. The paper seeks to examine Grossman’s techniques that help him verbalize the grieving experience of his characters while focusing on his use of poetic language. It seems that the capacity of poetry to rely on meaningful silences and a multilayered interpretive potential enables one to create a healing space which facilitates the process of reconciliation.
... As Sabrina Brancato explains, the transcultural paradigm goes a step further in grasping the... more ... As Sabrina Brancato explains, the transcultural paradigm goes a step further in grasping the complexity of cultural interaction, emphasizing ... is understandably confined to the limited space of her own community and other Bangladeshi sojourners inhabiting the shabby East End ...
Joseph Conrad devoted twenty years to the writing of short stories. The wide range of subject and... more Joseph Conrad devoted twenty years to the writing of short stories. The wide range of subject and setting, spanning from sea stories to domestic tales, managed to constitute Conrad’s reputation as a master story-teller capable of capturing his audience with any theme. While the stories vary in quality, length and themes explored, they all oscillate around the subject of human psyche, with its unpredictability and dark corners portrayed in a rather complex way. The paper seeks to explore the vision of humanity, emerging from Conrad’s short fiction, as well as the literary devices which enable him to capture the essence of human struggle. It focuses primarily on Conrad’s extensive use of figurative language, which contributes to the lyrical quality of his texts, and enables him to express the anguish and disintegration of his characters.
The implications of the colonialist discourse, which suggested that the colonized is a person “wh... more The implications of the colonialist discourse, which suggested that the colonized is a person “whose historical, physical, and metaphysical geography begins with European memory” (Thiong’o, 2009), urged postcolonial writers to correct these views by addressing the issues from their own perspectives. The themes of history and communal/national past thus play a prominent role in postcolonial literature as they are inevitably interwoven with the concept of communal identity. In Petals of Blood (1977), the Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o explores the implications of social change as brought about by the political and economic development during the post-independence period. This paper seeks to examine the crucial relation between personal and communal/national history and relate it to the writer’s views of principal legacies of colonialism. As Thiong’o states: “My interest in the past is because of the present and there is no way to discuss the future or present separate from the past” ...
In the postcolonial context, language represents one of the crucial tools of cultural communicati... more In the postcolonial context, language represents one of the crucial tools of cultural communication and is therefore often a subject of heated discussion. Since language constitutes the framework of cultural interaction, postcolonial authors often challenge the privileged position of Standard English within their writing by modifying and substituting it with new forms and varieties. The Trinidad-born writer Sam Selvon belongs to a handful of Caribbean authors who initiated linguistic experiments in the context of Caribbean literature and is considered one of the first Caribbean writers to employ dialect in a novel. His 1956 novel The Lonely Londoners reflects the possibilities of vernacular experimentation and thus communicates the specific experience of a particular cultural group in an authentic way. The discourse on language, its usage and implications, both for the writers and readers of postcolonial literature, forms the backbone of postcolonial literary theory. Language, " the medium through which a hierarchical structure of power is perpetuated " , was seen as the main tool of imperial oppression (Ashcroft et al., 2005, p. 7). The implications of linguistic practices stemming from the colonial era have stirred up numerous heated discussions about what kind of language to use in postcolonial literature. From Achebe who, in his essay " The African Writer and the English Language " , advocated the use of a different English " which is at once universal and able to carry his peculiar experience " 1 to the Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o who rejected the language of the former empire " as a suitable vehicle for local expression,
The paper seeks to explore the motif of blood, as it appears in various forms in all civilization... more The paper seeks to explore the motif of blood, as it appears in various forms in all civilizational and cultural areas. Based on the genre- and culturally diverse texts from the material sample, the authors will present the basic and plot-motif stable forms of the blood motif in ancient culture-forming narratives and outline their archetypal significance.
The study focuses on plot motifs in ancient Indian narratives. It seeks to clarify the fundamenta... more The study focuses on plot motifs in ancient Indian narratives. It seeks to clarify the fundamental principles and world structure depicted in them, with a special emphasis on the value axis “life superficit – life deficit”. In some respects, it differs radically from the Euro-American model, as implied by comparable literary works of Western provenance. The comparative analysis will not deal with generic, but only typological connections. The paper also considers the fact that there are no direct genealogical equivalences between the compared narratives.
The immediate connection between imperialism and globalization inevitably presupposes a detailed ... more The immediate connection between imperialism and globalization inevitably presupposes a detailed examination of the power relations that governed the twentieth century. Literature from the former colonies often provides a clearer picture of various manifestations of such power dynamics in local practices. The cultural or economic exchanges involved in the process are dismantled through local mini-narratives which challenge and reconceptualise the notion of the (formerly) colonized subject and its role and position within a global framework. The prominent Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is well-known as a politically and socially active writer who strongly emphasizes the responsibility of the writer to react to historical, political, or economic reality that s/he is a part of. As an advocate of a socially committed writing that exercises the power of literature to contribute to social transformation, he posits the writer right into the centre of action. This chapter seeks to explore Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s fiction in terms of the connections between local practices and larger global forces that shape the character of the postcolonial world in the post-independence period. Ngũgĩ’s preference of a socialist vision of the world clearly shapes his understanding and portrayal of the neo-colonial influence and the consequences of imperial policy in his native Kenya. The paper addresses the issue of globalization and neo-colonialism in Ngũgĩ’s later fiction, i.e. his novels Petals of Blood and Devil on the Cross, and reads it critically against his preferred ideological framework. By doing so, the paper seeks to demonstrate the rootedness of his considerations in the ‘glocal’ context of the postcolonial world.
The paper seeks to examine different forms and functions of storytelling in two selected dystopia... more The paper seeks to examine different forms and functions of storytelling in two selected dystopian novels, namely Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale (1985) and Johanna Sinisalo's The Core of the Sun (2016). Approaching the novels through the lens of dystopian fiction, the comparative analysis focuses on the use of language and storytelling as a form of resistance against oppression. Embedded in the very title of Margaret Atwood's most famous novel, the motif of storytelling proves to be one of the central building stones of her narrative. Offred's fragmentary, and often unreliable, tale not only provides a piercing portrait of a crude dystopian reality, it also symbolically challenges and undermines the authority of Gilead's regime. Sinisalo's Finnish weird novel also features a troubled young woman trapped in a dystopian system of government. She challenges and subverts the regime of the Eusistocratic Republic of Finland not only symbolically but also...
The paper focuses on the phenomenon of urban fantasy with a particular interest in the topos of a... more The paper focuses on the phenomenon of urban fantasy with a particular interest in the topos of a city, which assumes great significance as a thematic and motivic element in the subgenre. The authors touch upon the relation between (sub)genre and topos/topoi in general, but also more specifically, between urban fantasy and the city, regarding the urban area as a distinct setting with a specific atmosphere, character or genius loci. Within this frame, the paper seeks to exemplify the aforementioned relations through an interpretative study of Neil Gaiman’s novel Neverwhere, which breathes life into the London underground scene. London Below comes to personify, literally, the vices of London Above via the use of anthropomorphic strategies. Moreover, the spatial peculiarities of the novel not only contribute to the creation of the fantastical atmosphere but they also function as a vehicle of social critique and a constitutive element of the protagonist’s transformation.
In the postcolonial context, language represents one of the crucial tools of cultural communicati... more In the postcolonial context, language represents one of the crucial tools of cultural communication and is therefore often a subject of heated discussion. Since language constitutes the framework of cultural interaction, postcolonial authors often challenge the privileged position of Standard English within their writing by modifying and substituting it with new forms and varieties. The Trinidad-born writer Sam Selvon belongs to a handful of Caribbean authors who initiated linguistic experiments in the context of Caribbean literature and is considered one of the first Caribbean writers to employ dialect in a novel. His 1956 novel The Lonely Londoners reflects the possibilities of vernacular experimentation and thus communicates the specific experience of a particular cultural group in an authentic way.
In its essence, postcolonial literature evolved as an opposition to colonial discourse and ideolo... more In its essence, postcolonial literature evolved as an opposition to colonial discourse and ideological representation of the colonized subject inherent in colonial narratives. Springing out of the need to reconceptualize and reconstitute their communities, postcolonial writers often addressed the pressing historical and political issues of that time in their writing. In its early stages, postcolonial literature was therefore often marked by a strong sense of nationalism, interweaving fictional stories with the public narrative of pre-independence ideology. The paper seeks to explore the border between the public and the private in the early novels of the Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. Just as his contemporaries in other colonized countries, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o tends to utilize literature as a powerful tool for raising national awareness. The pre-independence period, in which Ngũgĩ’s novels are set, is marked by a certain degree of romanticism and idealism, yet there is also ...
In many ways, Ngũgĩ‘s collection Secret Lives and Other Stories (1975) foreshadows his latternove... more In many ways, Ngũgĩ‘s collection Secret Lives and Other Stories (1975) foreshadows his latternovels and their thematic preoccupations as it portrays colonial encounters and social and political upheavals in (post)colonial Kenya. The paper focuses primarily on selected stories included in the second section of the collection which revolve around the theme of fighters and martyrs. Ngũgĩ‘s adoption of Christian imagery, on which he relies quite heavily in his novels as well, enables him to articulate the ambivalent position and conflicts of his characters, both African and European. The motif of martyrdom is associated both with the clashing worlds of Christianity and the Gikuyu religion (addressing primarily the subject of conversion), and the Mau Mau revolt which inevitably required communal sacrifices. The paper ponders on the various modifications of the motif and its potential functions.
The immediate connection between imperialism and globalization inevitably presupposes a detailed ... more The immediate connection between imperialism and globalization inevitably presupposes a detailed examination of the power relations that governed the twentieth century. Literature from the former colonies often provides a clearer picture of various manifestations of such power dynamics in local practices. The cultural or economic exchanges involved in the process are dismantled through local mini-narratives which challenge and reconceptualise the notion of the (formerly) colonized subject and its role and position within a global framework. The prominent Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is well-known as a politically and socially active writer who strongly emphasizes the responsibility of the writer to react to historical, political, or economic reality that s/he is a part of. As an advocate of a socially committed writing that exercises the power of literature to contribute to social transformation, he posits the writer right into the centre of action. This chapter seeks to explore ...
THE imperial quest1 of the 19th century superpowers was unprecedented in human history. By 1914, ... more THE imperial quest1 of the 19th century superpowers was unprecedented in human history. By 1914, Europe held “a grand total of roughly 85 percent of the earth as colonies, protectorates, dependencies, dominions, and commonwealths” (Said 1994, 8). Both imperialism and colonialism were driven and supported by an impressive ideological platform that sustained and fed the system. The rightfulness associated with the expansivity of colonial powers was conveniently derived from the notions of inferiority and backwardness that were attributed to the populations of the newly acquired territories; these, in fact, not only helped to justify the massive geographical extension of the empire but also created the illusion of legitimacy of the whole process. According to imperial policies, some nations and territories simply seemed to be in need of domination and control; they required regulation and direction, both political and cultural. The self-imposed right to execute a civilizing mission in ...
The paper seeks to provide a thematological analysis of folk tale types 461 and 930 (“protected b... more The paper seeks to provide a thematological analysis of folk tale types 461 and 930 (“protected by fate”) and to identify their thematic and motivic intersections of intercultural validity in terms of existential semiotics within the comparative frame of European and Asian literary traditions. The invariant semanteme of all mentioned myths, fairy tales or legends resides in the unsuccessful endeavour of a high-ranking, powerful man to kill a person predestined to become his successor. In many cases, the storyline of this thousand year-old motif also includes well-known biblical motifs, such as, massacre of the innocents, a heavenly sign and fulfilment of the prophecy.
David Grossman’s experimental text Falling Out of Time (2011) examines the theme of the death of ... more David Grossman’s experimental text Falling Out of Time (2011) examines the theme of the death of a child and parents’ attempts to understand and cope with the loss. In order to represent and articulate the sense of unbearable pain and grief, Grossman employs several strategies and techniques related to both content and form which allow for a perspective that is both artistically engaging and sensitive. One of the obvious formal features of the text is his use of poetry, which seemingly represents the most natural means to express the raw emotions and pain of his characters. The paper seeks to examine Grossman’s techniques that help him verbalize the grieving experience of his characters while focusing on his use of poetic language. It seems that the capacity of poetry to rely on meaningful silences and a multilayered interpretive potential enables one to create a healing space which facilitates the process of reconciliation.
... As Sabrina Brancato explains, the transcultural paradigm goes a step further in grasping the... more ... As Sabrina Brancato explains, the transcultural paradigm goes a step further in grasping the complexity of cultural interaction, emphasizing ... is understandably confined to the limited space of her own community and other Bangladeshi sojourners inhabiting the shabby East End ...
Joseph Conrad devoted twenty years to the writing of short stories. The wide range of subject and... more Joseph Conrad devoted twenty years to the writing of short stories. The wide range of subject and setting, spanning from sea stories to domestic tales, managed to constitute Conrad’s reputation as a master story-teller capable of capturing his audience with any theme. While the stories vary in quality, length and themes explored, they all oscillate around the subject of human psyche, with its unpredictability and dark corners portrayed in a rather complex way. The paper seeks to explore the vision of humanity, emerging from Conrad’s short fiction, as well as the literary devices which enable him to capture the essence of human struggle. It focuses primarily on Conrad’s extensive use of figurative language, which contributes to the lyrical quality of his texts, and enables him to express the anguish and disintegration of his characters.
The implications of the colonialist discourse, which suggested that the colonized is a person “wh... more The implications of the colonialist discourse, which suggested that the colonized is a person “whose historical, physical, and metaphysical geography begins with European memory” (Thiong’o, 2009), urged postcolonial writers to correct these views by addressing the issues from their own perspectives. The themes of history and communal/national past thus play a prominent role in postcolonial literature as they are inevitably interwoven with the concept of communal identity. In Petals of Blood (1977), the Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o explores the implications of social change as brought about by the political and economic development during the post-independence period. This paper seeks to examine the crucial relation between personal and communal/national history and relate it to the writer’s views of principal legacies of colonialism. As Thiong’o states: “My interest in the past is because of the present and there is no way to discuss the future or present separate from the past” ...
In the postcolonial context, language represents one of the crucial tools of cultural communicati... more In the postcolonial context, language represents one of the crucial tools of cultural communication and is therefore often a subject of heated discussion. Since language constitutes the framework of cultural interaction, postcolonial authors often challenge the privileged position of Standard English within their writing by modifying and substituting it with new forms and varieties. The Trinidad-born writer Sam Selvon belongs to a handful of Caribbean authors who initiated linguistic experiments in the context of Caribbean literature and is considered one of the first Caribbean writers to employ dialect in a novel. His 1956 novel The Lonely Londoners reflects the possibilities of vernacular experimentation and thus communicates the specific experience of a particular cultural group in an authentic way. The discourse on language, its usage and implications, both for the writers and readers of postcolonial literature, forms the backbone of postcolonial literary theory. Language, " the medium through which a hierarchical structure of power is perpetuated " , was seen as the main tool of imperial oppression (Ashcroft et al., 2005, p. 7). The implications of linguistic practices stemming from the colonial era have stirred up numerous heated discussions about what kind of language to use in postcolonial literature. From Achebe who, in his essay " The African Writer and the English Language " , advocated the use of a different English " which is at once universal and able to carry his peculiar experience " 1 to the Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o who rejected the language of the former empire " as a suitable vehicle for local expression,
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Papers by Simona Klimková