Thesis (M.A.)--Université Laval, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

D. Litt. et Phil. (German) / Conrad Ferdinand Meyer is, on the grounds of his stories, counted among the Realists in German literature, whilst many have also discovered symbolistic elements in his poetry. The questions upon which this thesis is based are, firstly, on how far the apparently merely realistic events and descriptions in Meyer's stories (most of which are based on historic facts) are of a metaphoric or symbolistic nature and, secondly, what can, as a result of this, be said about Meyer’s view of life and the human condition. In the Introduction certain aspects of the wide field of research on the concept of the ‘symbol’ , are raised, as well as the differences between 'metaphors' and ‘symbols’ pointed out. The larger part of this work is concerned with the detailed analysis of metaphors and symbols in three of Meyer's stories, "Das Amulett", "Der Heilige" and “Angela Borgia”. As the three stories comprise the whole of the poet’s creative life, possible variations and developments in his use of metaphors and symbols can be pointed out. By analysing them within the context of the individual story, the danger of destroying the unity of the work is avoided. The careful analysis of the stories showed that despite their richness and variety, there are certain spheres from which the poet time and again takes his metaphors. The most important of these are: nature, colours, art, mythology and Christian symbolism. Many of these metaphors are used mainly for the characterization of people, or to emphasize or relate certain events and situations, but the majority can be called symbols, as they show certain aspects of Meyer's view of life as a whole: the idea of the world as a stage, the conflict of reality and pretence, the basic ambiguity of all things, the close relation of life and death, the aspect of hunters and hunted and the depiction of the world mainly as an inner and outer hell in which paradise has but a very small room. The metaphoric richness in "Angela Borgia" compared to “Das Amulett” has increased largely, but nevertheless one cannot speak of a gradual increase throughout Meyer's creative life. In conclusion, certain aspects of Meyer's position within his own time have been outlined. In contrast to Romantic works in German literature one does not find unrealistic descriptions in Meyer's prose works - for this he can be called a 'Realist'. Yet the metaphoric and symbolic qualities of his work may be stronger than in that of the other Realists, although he has little in common with either the Naturalists or the Symbolists or the l'art pour l'art movement. 'Realistic' art is to Meyer the depiction of the ambiguity and suffering which characterize human life, but he still sees an ideal in humane behaviour and compassion which can bring about a certain redemption in a basically Christian sense.

This thesis explores stylistic features in two novels by Joseph Conrad--The Nigger of the "Narcissus" published in 1897 and The Rover published in 1923. The main focus of the discussion of these novels is the way in which form and meaning are integrated, that is, how style creates and affects theme and subject. In particular, the various literary devices that create style--the individual word, the sentence, and larger elements such as metaphoric and metonymic patterns—are dealt with. These elements are considered under three headings: dialogue, narrative, and imagery. The mimetic character of dialogue, its integration into a text, the various types of dialogue such as reported speech and direct discourse, and variations of dialogue such as interior monologue and free indirect style are discussed in relation to theme. Secondly, narrative, the larger frame into which dialogue fits, is treated at length, with narrative method, the characteristics of narrative prose in both novels, and the effects produced by Conrad's attention to rhythm and vocabulary forming the central concerns of this section. Lastly, metaphor and simile are discussed as stylistic elements not confined to individual sentences or passages but extending over an entire work, and as the means by which visual and auditory impressions are conveyed to the reader. The traditional types of simile and metaphor, "as if" and "as though" clauses functioning as similes, and metonymic images are analyzed with the intention of demonstrating the relationship between technique and vision. / Arts, Faculty of / English, Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this master thesis is to investigate how to evaluate CPT-soundings in sulphide soilfrom Mälardalen in CONRAD. The objective is to conclude whether sulphide soil from Mälardalenshould be evaluated with existing methods or a new method should be developed. The only existingevaluation methods for sulphide soil are empirically derived for sulphide soil along the coast of Gulfof Bothnia known as Svartmocka. There are currently no guidelines for when to use this evaluationmethod. In the industry, sulphide soil in Mälardalen is evaluated as clay for lack of alternatives, butthis solution has no scientific basis. There is therefore a need for an extended investigation on howsulphide soil from Mälardalen should be evaluated. Previous research has been summarized and provides the basis for the design of the analysis method. Geotechnical investigation data from two sites have been collected and analysed: Spångadalen, innorthwest Stockholm and part of the new railway Norrbotniabanan located north of Umeå in thenorthern part of Sweden. At Spångadalen, the main reason for the investigation is the construction oftwo storm water management ponds. Here some extended laboratory experiments have been carriedout to supplement existing data.Since the purpose of this thesis is to investigate how to evaluate the sulphide soil in Mälardalen, thedata from Spångadalen has be evaluated both with the method for clay and sulphide soil. The datafrom Norrbotniabanan has only been evaluated as sulphide soil. The comparison between theevaluation methods and areas is bases on the difference between the different investigation methods. The parameters of undrained shear strength, pre-consolidation pressure and overconsolidation ratiofrom CPT-soundings has been compared with the same parameters from direct shear tests, fall conetests, field vane tests and CRS. The comparison has also included the spread of the evaluated CPTs indifferent areas. Further the cone factors for the undrained shear strength and pre-consolidationpressure in the empirical equations in CONRAD has been evaluated for the soil in Spångadalen. Theevaluated in based on the evaluation of the CPT preformed in CONRAD and values for the undrainedshear strength and pre-consolidation pressure from other reference methods. The cone factors for theundrained shear strength and pre-consolidation pressure were then compared to the existing conefactors.The conclusion is that no significant results indicates that sulphide soil in Mälardalen differs fromclay although it shares some characteristic with the sulphide soil from Norrbotniabanan. Sulphidesoil from Spångadalen should not even be called sulphide soil since the amount of sulphide was toolow, which was discovered during the study. It should instead be called clay with elements of sulphide. Sulphide soil from Mälardalen should therefore continue to be evaluated as clay. However, furtherresearch on the subject is needed to ensure this conclusion for other areas with sulphide soil in Mälardalen. / Syftet med denna examensuppsats är att undersöka hur CPT-undersökningar I sulfidjord från Mälardalen bör utvärderas i CONRAD. Målet är att genom analys finna underlag för slutsatser,antingen för att sulfidjord från Mälardalen bör utvärderas med befintliga metoder eller att en nyutvärderingsmetod bör utvecklas. De befintliga utvärderingsmetoderna för sulfidjord är empiristbaserade på sulfidjord längst med kust av Bottenviken, känd som Svartmocka. Idag saknas detriktlinjer för när denna ut metod ska användas och i branschen utvärderas sulfidjord från Mälardalensom lera i brist på alternativ. Denna lösning saknar dock vetenskaplig grund. Det finns därför ettbehov av en utökad undersökning kring hur sulfidjord från Mälardalen bör utvärderas.Tidigare forskning har sammanställts och lagat till grund för utformningen av analysmetoden.Geotekniska undersökningsdata från två områden har samlats in och analyserats. Ett område ligger iSpångadalen väster om Stockholm i Mälardalen. Det huvudsakliga skälet till undersökningarna ärbyggandet av två dagvattendammar. Det andra området ligger norr om Umeå i norra delen av Sverige.De undersökningarna kommer från en del av den nya järnvägen Norrbotniabanan. I Spångadalen harutökade laboratorieförsök utförts som komplement till befintliga data.Då syfte med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur sulfidjord i Mälardalen bör utvärderas harundersökningarna från Spångadalen utvärderats med metoderna för både lera och sulfidjord.Undersökningarna från Norrbotniabanan har endast utvärderats som sulfidjord. Jämförelsernamellan de olika utvärderingsmetoderna och utvärderingsmetoderna baseras på skillnaderna mellande olika undersökningsmetoderna. Parametrarna för odränerad skjuvhållfasthet,förkonsolideringstryck och överkonsolideringsgrad från CPT-sonderingarna har jämförts medsamma parametrar från direkt skjuvförsök, fallkonförsök, vingförsök och CRS. Jämförelseninkluderar också spridningen av de utvärderade CPT-sonderingarna i olika områden.Fortsättningsvis har konfaktorerna för den odränerade skjuvhållfastheten ochförkonsolideringentrycket i de empiriska ekvationerna för CONRAD utvärderats för jorden iSpångadalen. Utvärderingen baserades på CPT resultaten från CONRAD och värden för denodränerade skjuvhållfastheten och förkonsolideringstrycket från andra referensmetoder.Konfaktorerna för den odränerade skjuvhållfastheten och förkonsolideringstrycket jämfördes sedanmed de befintliga konfaktorerna.Slutsatsen är att inga signifikanta resultat visar på att sulfidjord från Mälardalen avviker från leratrots att den i vissa avseenden liknar sulfidjord från Norrbotniabanan. Sulfidjord från Spångadalenbör inte ens benämnas som sulfidjord då sulfidhalten var för låg, vilket upptäcktes under projektet.Den bör istället benämnas som lera med inslag av sulfid. Sulfidjord från Mälardalen bör därför ävenfortsatt utvärderas som lera. Dock behövs fortsatt forskning inom ämnet behövs för att säkerställadenna slutsats.

This study examines evidence as to Conrad's principles provided by the symbolism in five novels and one novelette.

This thesis is an attempt to understand Joseph Conrad's own concept of the "moral law"; what is meant by the terms "positive" and "negative," often used to describe the forces so obviously influencing his characters; and the characters, the action, and the endings as proofs of Conrad's belief in such a law and such forces.

This thesis focuses on Conrad's representation of space and atmosphere in the "impressionistic" works published between 1897 and 1904, notably The Nigger of the "Narcissus" (1897), "Heart of Darkness" (1899), Lord Jim (1900), and Nostromo (1904). The many conflicting statements regarding the nature of Conrad's impressionism lead one to ask two fundamental questions: What constitutes this strange and elusive phenomenon, and how does it bear upon interpretation? This thesis works towards defining the elusive quality of Conrad's writing by investigating and assessing the contribution of impressionist techniques in the creation of a pervasive space and atmosphere; secondly, it considers how the various constituent elements interact with, and complement one another to form a dominant mode of fictional space in each work; and, thirdly, it indicates the possible impact that these particular Conradian configurations of space and atmosphere might have upon the interpretation of his impressionist works. The thesis argues that the existential condition of isolatio~experienced by Conrad's heroes and narrators is a consequence of epistemological frustration and fragmentation, which, in turn, is a function of impressionist ontology. There is a definite and complementary relationship between each of these notions in Conrad's fiction. The mysterious atmosphere in his works results from the interplay between various configurations of theme, narration and description, and these novelistic elements correspond roughly with the notions of existential isolation (the dominant theme), epistemology (narrating, telling and (re)telling as a method of knowing and understanding the space in which the characters find themselves) and, lastly, the ontological dimensions of the various modes of fictional space (as realized in description). The evocation and invocation of cosmic space in The Nigger of the "Narcissus," the mapping of a dorriinant symbolic space in "Heart of Darkness," the (re)constructions of Jim's psychological space in Lord Jim, and, finally, the "transcription" and "inscription" of a mythical space in Nostromo, indicate a definite development from epistemological to ontological issues. Phrased in more theoretical terms, this development is a movement from asking predominantly epistemological questions like "How can I interpret this world of which I am a part?" "What is there to be known?" "Who knows it ... and with what degree of certainty?", to asking predominantly ontological questions, such as "Which world is this?" "What kinds of worlds are there ... and how are they constituted?". Such questions, categorized by McHale as the dominant characteristics of Modernist and Postmodernist fiction respectively, are already present in Conrad's texts, thus undermining any clear-cut division between these broad categories. Indeed, this thesis suggests that these categories are at best tenuous, and that they should perhaps be used heuristically, rather than definitively

Winnie Verloc's role in "The Secret Agent" has received little initial critical attention. However, this character emerges as Conrad's hero in this novel because she is an exception to what afflicts the other characters: institutionalism. In the first chapter, I discuss the effect of institutions on the characters in the novel as well as on London, and how both the characters and the city lack hope and humanity. Chapter II is an analysis of Winnie's character, concentrating on her philosophy that "life doesn't stand much looking into," and how this view, coupled with her disturbing experience of having looked into the "abyss," makes Winnie heroic in her affirmative existentialism. Chapters III and IV broaden the focus, comparing Winnie to Conrad's other protagonists and to his other female characters.

This study explores the connections between justice understood biblically, and restorative justice. Restorative justice theory has argued that its foundational principles and its forms of practice draw directly from the taproot of biblical justice. This study argues that biblical justice as conceived by restorative justice is incomplete. More, the primary theological and biblical work in the field has not drawn the connections to the way restorative justice is practiced. This study argues that judgment and forgiveness are essential components of biblical justice that are missing from discussions of restorative justice. It concludes by drawing some of the implications of incorporating judgment and forgiveness for restorative justice practice by suggesting language that can be used by mediators. Chapter 1 outlines the main principles of restorative justice and describes the ways in which these principles were initially grounded on a description of biblical justice. The ways in which recent writing about restorative justice has identified an apparent loss of vision are explored, a loss that flows from a theological grounding that has failed to adequately reflect the fulness of biblical justice. Chapter 2 explores the main themes of biblical justice. Drawing connections between biblical understandings of peace, covenant, and justice, it discusses the ways in which restitution, vindication, vengeance, retribution, punishment, mercy, judgment, and forgiveness are all constitutive of a full understanding of biblical justice. Finally this understanding of justice is described as central to repentance and reconciliation. Chapter 3 draws the connections between biblical justice and restorative justice. Arguing that biblical justice is a justice for the nations, that it is what justice ought to be, the role that judgment and forgiveness can play within restorative justice is described. Chapter 4 connects the discussion to the work that mediators do in restorative justice. Offering potential language for restorative justice practitioners, it seeks to find ways for the biblical and theological discussion to influence their work with victims and offenders. Chapter 5 draws the argument together, and identifies the necessity of restorative justice programmes remaining rooted in the church so as to retain the courage and creativity to continually experiment with new forms of practice.

This study offers a critical assessment of Letty Mandeville Russell’s contributions to feminist theology with a view to gleaning wisdom for Muslim women who also wrestle with the issue of justice for women. As a liberation theologian, Russell’s definition and construction of feminist theology is based on two elements: commitment to Christianity and strong advocacy of feminism. Russell believes that in human communities, marginalized people, particularly women, are kept down and disempowered in society, history, and the church. Russell recognizes tradition as the key challenge for feminists and she struggles with “all oppressive expressions of Christian tradition.” She notes the androcentric and sexist elements of the Bible, but she refuses to leave the church. Rather, her attempt is to proclaim the “prophetic- messianic” message of the gospel while advocating a critical approach to the biblical text. Thus this thesis will explore the question: Is it possible to reconstruct a theology in a systematic way that is faithful to religious convictions while advocating feminism. In addition to Russell’s books and articles, which form the primary sources for this study, two other Christian feminists (Fiorenza and Harder) will be drawn into the discussion in order to further illuminate the various building blocks that women use to link faith and feminism. Chapter one provides a background for the feminist movement and introduces feminist theology, in order to position Russell within the wide spectrum of feminist theologians who attempt to reconcile their Christian faith and their convictions and vision for women. Chapter two looks Russell’s claim that she is both Christian and feminist. Russell’s definition of feminism, faith, and their inter-relationship will be illuminated as a key to her identity as a feminist theologian. The chapter shows not only how Russell understands these two commitments, often understood as contradictory, but also shows how Russell’s roots in liberation theology have aided her in building a bridge between faith and feminism. Chapter three deals with the methodology that Russell uses to build a bridge between faith and feminism. She proposes a process of action-reflection in which women gain a new understanding of faith and add new perspectives to Christian theology. Chapter four analyzes Russell’s contributions in dealing creatively and faithfully with tradition while being both a Christian and a feminist. She proposes a paradigm shift for the community that does theology; a shift from a paradigm of domination to a paradigm of partnership. She believes that through this shift, all marginalized people, including women, can find their own voices and thus be included in the promises of God to his people. The concluding chapter, chapter five, offers a grandstand view of all of the building blocks that Russell uses to construct a bridge between faith and feminism, thus making apparent how it is possible to advocate feminism and also be committed to Christianity. At the same time, this chapter will also consider whether the same building blocks can be used to build the same kind of bridge for Muslim women.