Let $k$ be a field and $B$ a finite-dimensional, associative, unital $k$-algebra. For each $1 \le d \le \dim_kB$, let $\operatorname{AlgGr}_d(B)$ denote the projective variety of $d$-dimensional subalgebras of $B$, and let $\operatorname{Aut}_k(B)$ denote the automorphism group of $B$. In this thesis, we are primarily concerned with understanding the relationship between $\operatorname{AlgGr}_d(B)$, the representation theory of $B$, and the representation theory of $\operatorname{Aut}_k(B)$. We begin by proving fundamental structure theorems for the maximal subalgebras of $B$. We show that maximal subalgebras of $B$ come in two flavors, which we call split type and separable type. As a consequence, we provide complete classifications for maximal subalgebras of semisimple algebras and basic algebras. We also demonstrate that the maximality of $A$ in $B$ is related to the representation theory of $B$, through the separability of functors closely associated with the extension $A \subset B$. The rest of this document showcases applications of these results. For $k = \bar{k}$, we compute the maximal dimension of a proper subalgebra of $B$. We discuss the problem of computing the minimal number of generators for $B$ (as an algebra), and provide upper and lower bounds for basic algebras. We then study $\operatorname{AlgGr}_d(B)$ in detail, again when $B$ is basic. When $d = \dim_kB-1$, we find a projective embedding of $\operatorname{AlgGr}_d(B)$, and explicitly describe its associated homogeneous vanishing ideal. In turn, we provide a simple description of its irreducible components. We find equivalent conditions for this variety to be a finite union of $\operatorname{Aut}_k(B)$-orbits, and describe several classes of algebras which satisfy these conditions. Furthermore, we provide an algebraic description for the orbits of connected maximal subalgebras of type-$\mathbb{A}$ path algebras. Finally, we study the fixed-point variety $\operatorname{AlgGr}_d(B)^{\operatorname{Aut}_k(B)}$ (for general $d$), which connects naturally to the representation theory of $\operatorname{Aut}_k(B)$. We investigate the case where $B$ is a truncated path algebra over $\mathbb{C}$ in detail.

Any set of finitely presented left modules defines a relative purity for left modules and also apurity for right modules. Purities defined by various classes are compared and investigated,especially in the contexts of modules over semiperfect rings and over tame hereditary, andmore general, finite-dimensional algebras. Connections between the indecomposable relativelypure-injective modules and closure in the full support topology (a refinement of theZiegler spectrum) are described.Duality between left and right modules is used to define the concept of a class of leftmodules and a class of right modules forming an almost dual pair. Definability of suchclasses is investigated, especially in the case that one class is the closure of a set of finitelypresented modules under direct limits. Elementary duality plays an important role here.Given a set of finitely presented modules, the corresponding proper class of relativelypure-exact sequences can be used to define a relative notion of cotorsion pair, which weinvestigate.The results of this thesis unify and extend a wide range of results in the literature.