Search the digital library catalog

Abstract: This thesis uses techniques of comparative literature aiming to ascertain whether the culture of a country is reflected in that country’s literature (more specifically, its crime fiction). The thesis is divided into two parts. The theoretical part introduces crime fiction as a genre, its development, and compares cultural characteristics of Japanese and Americans. The practical part is a comparison of three American and three Japanese crime fiction novels with a focus on cultural reflections. These countries developed relatively historically independently, have distinctly different cultures, and enjoy somewhat contradictory reputations when it comes to safety.
Keywords: crime fiction, American literature, Japanese literature
Published in DKUM: 23.07.2020; Views: 1334; Downloads: 126
Full text (1,74 MB)

Abstract: The thesis analysed the formation of black identity in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Americanah (2013). It aimed to uncover whether it is possible to talk about black identity, how it is formed and what influences its formation. It primarily explored how the author presented the formation of black identity in the protagonist of the novel through factors such as race, racism and racial terminology, body image, skin, hair and hair salons. In conducting the analysis of the problem, various critical approaches have been used, such as close reading of the text, formalist and stylistic analyses, review of literature and scholarly articles about the author and black identity, and the biographical method, followed by an evaluation and comprehensive interpretation of the topic in the scope of historical, social and linguistic contexts. Based on the examples presented, it appeared that exposure to various forms of racism, racial discrimination and marginalization, primarily connected to visual appearance, social position, treatment and opportunities (e.g., lighter skin and straighter hair improve one’s job prospects), led the protagonist to discover the meaning of being black in America. Thus, the research showed that the formation of black identity is influenced by the environment in which one lives and the social attitudes to which one is exposed.
Keywords: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah, African American hair, African American literature, blackness, black identity, race, racism
Published in DKUM: 25.09.2018; Views: 1210; Downloads: 181
Full text (791,50 KB)

Abstract: In most cases, African American poetry eschews traditional literary norms. Contemporary African American poets tend to ignore grammatical rules, use unusual typography on many occasions, include much of their cultural heritage in their poetry, and interweave musical elements into literary genres. The influence of such musical genres as jazz, blues, soul, and gospel, together with the dilemmas that occur for the translator, will be shown to great extent, since music, like black speech, is a major part of African American culture and literature. The translator will have to maintain the specific African American rhythm, blues adaptations and the improvisational language under the jazz impact. The paper presents the problems in translating post-1950 African American poetry into Slovene, and asks to what extent can one successfully transfer the musical elements within this poetry for the target culture? Inevitably, it will identify a share of elements that are lost in translation.
Keywords: American literature, American poetry, African American poetry, jazz, blues, soul, gospel, translation, source culture, target culture
Published in DKUM: 16.05.2017; Views: 1168; Downloads: 385
Full text (189,49 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: The paper examines the immediate responses that emerged in American poetry after the terrorist attacks on 11 September, 2001. The aim of the paper is not to summarize the tragic events of 9/11, but to show how poets reacted to the terrorist attacks. In response to 9/11, a great deal of poetry emerged that expresses the poetic and completely personal, intimate side of the crisis, and many printed publications appeared in which poets addressed 9/11. Although one can find a range of features in American poetry after the attacks, there are notable similarities among the poetry being produced. The post-9/11 poetry can be divided into thematic clusters. This paper is, however, limited to responses that deal only with feelings of disorientation, loss and despair after 9/11. Furthermore, the paper presents poetic reactions that involve a sense of disillusionment and the idea that everything changed after the attacks. Each thematic cluster offers examples of 9/11 poetry that are interpreted with the help of close reading.
Keywords: American literature, contemporary American poetry, events of 9/1, responses, close reading, trauma, thematic criticism
Published in DKUM: 16.05.2017; Views: 1255; Downloads: 173
Full text (102,73 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Harriet Beecher-Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin or Negro Life in the Slave States of America (1852) is one of the American books that have been most often translated, issued and reprinted in Slovene. The article will present a few facts about the numerous translations, from the first ones to those sold in today's bookshops.
Keywords: American literature, translation, Harriet Beecher-Stowe, Uncle Tom's cabin, slovenski prevodi
Published in DKUM: 12.05.2017; Views: 1278; Downloads: 406
Full text (360,32 KB)
This document has many files! More...