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Christian Ethics and the Victorian Novel: The Child as a Christ Figure in Oliver Twist, Silas Marner, and The Master-Christian
Vítek, Jaroslav ; Beran, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Horová, Miroslava (referee)
This diploma thesis contributes to the evolving field of religious/postsecular and ethical studies. In the first chapter, I position my thesis in the context of the religious and ethical turn of the humanities and narrow the scope of my focus to the Victorian novel, whose critical accounts were frequently misconstrued due to the application of the secularisation thesis. I then focus on the transposition of Christianity and its ethical functions from institutional affiliations to Victorian literature and literary criticism. I interpret an orphaned child as a Christ figure in three Victorian novels, whose selection illustrates the progress of the transposition from the early Victorian period to the end of the 19th century. I establish an interpretative frame, which I apply to the following analyses of the orphan character in Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist (1837- 1838), George Eliot's Silas Marner (1861), and Marie Corelli's The Master-Christian (1900). In the second chapter, I interpret the eponymous character of Oliver Twist as the Christ figure, who brings the possibility of redemption and salvation from the ineffectual government institutions and London underground. Furthermore, Oliver establishes a heavenly kingdom on earth represented as a pastoral idyll at the end of the novel. I also focus on...
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Harry Potter: A Social critique
Nováková, Petra ; Nováková, Soňa (advisor) ; Clark, Colin Steele (referee)
Harry Potter: A Social Critique The aim of this thesis is to offer an analysis of J.K. Rowling's fantasy novels, the Harry Potter series, as a work of social criticism. The striking contrast between the two diametrically opposed fictional worlds, the wizarding world in which the governing principle is magic and its muggle (a term denoting non-magical or status) counterpart defined mainly by the lack of magic, enables Rowling to present and explore various social issues: racial bigotry, social stratification, prejudice, corruption, child welfare, moral questions, misuse of power, civil conflicts, national bias, slavery, terrorism and gender issues. The two coexisting cultures constructed in her novels are reflected in language, customs and values. The complexity of Rowling's work allows her to gradually move towards bigger issues, at first revolving mainly around the main character, Harry Potter, and later involving both, the wizarding and muggle world as a whole. In other words, what starts out as a children's story of childhood changes its course towards a critique of greater social injustices as the characters grow up, a clear bildungsroman in which additional themes are developed apart from the basic struggle between good and evil. Attention will also be paid as to how Rowling's novels are influenced by...
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Aesthetics of Virginia Woolf
Bláhová, Šárka ; Ševčík, Miloš (advisor) ; Kaplický, Martin (referee)
This thesis is dealing with characteristics of Virginia Woolf's aesthetic views which progresses according to the then aesthetic teories. It introduces significant differences between the Victorian and the following Modern period which influenced all areas of human activities. The thesis discusses step by step development of human thinking and its reflexions into production and experience of art. Besides that, the thesis analyses art activities of Bloomsbury group, its philosophy and aesthetics. It includes main aesthetic thoughts of Mr. Roger Frye and Mr. Clive Bell who were part of the group and created its aesthetic views. Finaly we will focus on Virginia Woolf and her aesthetic opinions which were influenced by Mr. Roger Frye's aesthetic views. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Victorian Influence on the Russian Imperial Court Through the Family Ties between the English and Russian Royal Houses at the End of the 19th Century
DUFKOVÁ, Alena
This bachelor thesis aims to point out and describe the consequences of influence of both Victorianism and the person of Queen Victoria on the lifestyle at the Russian Imperial Court at the end of 19th and beginning of 20th century. It describes historical events which shaped Russia and focuses on family relations binding the Romanovs and the English ruling house. The thesis defines the meaning of Victorianism and determines the difference between mentality of Russian and English high Society. It relies on analysis of letters, diary entries and memoirs of the participants of the events mentioned. A brief description of post-Victorian relationship between the two countries concludes the thesis.
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