TITLE: The difference in Aldous Huxley's approach to the concept of dystopia in the 1930s and 1960s with references to his selected works AUTHOR: Marie Hronová DEPARTMENT: Department of English Language and Literature SUPERVISOR: PhDr. Petr Chalupský, Ph.D. ABSTRACT: This thesis is focused on the approach of Aldous Huxley to dystopian fiction. To explore this topic it analyses his two major novels, namely Brave New World (1932) and Island (1962). The aim of the theoretical part is to provide a context to these two works. Therefore, it describes the most important social changes which emerged after the First World War and further developed after the Second World War. This part is also concerned with the development of psychopharmacology and its consequences since it plays a major role in both analysed novels. Further context is given by outlining the basic ideas of selected eastern philosophies as they are crucial for one of Huxley's works. The practical part then analyses Huxley's imaginary society in Brave New World in order to pinpoint the features of the author's dystopian novel and his criticism of the society of the 1930s. Island is explored as a counterpart of Brave New World, since both novels deal with the same topic but in different perspectives. The aim of this part is to analyse and compare the...

Nordic noir is a distinctive component of the current Nordic cultural export, which has become increasingly popular in recent years not only in Europe. One of the main characteristics of this genre is the description of tensions between the seemingly insignificant and peaceful social climate in the Nordic environment and the murders, racism, inequality and other malfunctioning mechanisms that occur beneath the surface. This creates an ideal spare for criticizing the welfare state. Denmark, as a representative of its Scandinavian model, is also one of the countries where nordic noir has spread very quickly. Therefore, this master thesis will be devoted to analyzing the criticism of the welfare state in the Danish series The Killing in order to demonstrate socio-critical tendencies in the aforementioned genre. It will further examine how they are approached and what specific aspects are subjected to criticism. The work aims to contribute to the current debate by presenting specific examples based on a detailed analysis of the selected case.

There is an ongoing debate in the media about whether or not caucasian filmmakers should be telling stories about racism and the black experience. This study aims to further the discussion by examining and comparing social criticism in the two feature-length films Play and Get Out, made by caucasian filmmaker Ruben Östlund and African American filmmaker Jordan Peele respectively. Using a multimodal critical discourse analysis grounded in Stuart Hall and Richard Dyer’s theories on representation and stereotyping, the study investigates what discourses regarding race and stereotypes are present in the films. The study shows that both films raise social criticism by references to the historical and contemporary racial discourse and depicting how the white characters act upon their racial prejudice. However, while Östlund attempts to have his audience reflect on their own behaviour and prejudices, the racist implications made by the white characters in Play, along with the black characters stereotypical manners, are often left unconfrontented and therefore reconstructs the racial order. Peele, however, manages to deconstruct the racial order through usage of more creative interdiscursive elements which highlight the importance of a shared black experience, exposing the privileged and racially charged actions of the white characters in Get Out and the vulnerable position of its black characters.

This thesis examines the symbolism of food in the Italian narrative during the economic miracle of the 1950s and 1960s. It explores how food and hunger in selected texts reflect historical, social, and anthropological changes during Italy's transition from an agricultural to an industrial nation. Through works of Pier Paolo Pasolini, Italo Calvino, Luciano Bianciardi, Luigi Meneghello and Fabrizia Ramondino the study analyses the representation of food, or lack thereof, to criticise the emerging consumer society, reflect on the concept of homeland and emotions such as nostalgia, and examines generational, gender and class differences. The thesis further explores the inventions of traditions, as well as the connection between myth and tradition in relation to food culture. The selected literature primarily consists of works where food appears to be less relevant on first reading. At last, the aim of this thesis is to work out the strong symbolic power of food, especially for this period and in these works, and to demonstrate to what extent "si può parlare del cibo o attraverso Il cibo" (Ghiazza, Silvana: Le diverse funzioni del cibo nel testo letterario, p. 10).

A study of Henry David Thoreau's opinions on religion, economics, politics, government, and major political issues of his time.

A análise proposta neste estudo focaliza as relações entre seis narrativas literárias contemporâneas de Sérgio Sant’Anna e seus respectivos contextos de produção, com o objetivo de ampliar as reflexões sobre os textos ficcionais do escritor e discorrer acerca das opções estéticas usadas em cada obra para recompor um diálogo entre a História e a sociedade. A hipótese da pesquisa é que, na representação simbólica, as estratégias estéticas usadas pelo escritor são desconstrutoras, isto é, pautam-se em uma linguagem com arranjos particulares para agenciar a formalização de questões temáticas vinculadas aos períodos de repressão histórico-social. A partir de uma abordagem bibliográfica e de análises comparativas pautadas na sociologia da literatura, os livros Confissões de Ralfo (1975), Simulacros (1977), Um romance de geração (1981), Amazona (1986), A senhorita Simpson: histórias (1989) e Um crime delicado (1997) são selecionados como objeto de análise. As reflexões estão amparadas em conceitos de Theodor Adorno, Mikhail Bakhtin, Anatol Rosenfeld, Linda Hutcheon, entre outros, e em análises críticas da literatura brasileira contemporânea e da literatura de Sérgio Santa’Anna, incluindo abordagens desenvolvidas por Regina Dalcastagnè, Flora Sussekind e Luis Santos. Como questões fundamentais apontadas na investigação, cabe salientar a complexidade estrutural dos textos do autor, a representação crítica e fragmentária de condicionamentos sócio-históricos no texto tanto no enfoque temático quanto nas opções estéticas, a desestabilização do sujeito e o estilo dialógico da composição literária. / This study is focused on the relations between six contemporary literary narratives by Sérgio Sant'Anna and their contexts of production, aiming to amplify the reflections on the writer’s fictional texts and arguing about the aesthetic choices used in each work to rebuild a dialogue between history and society. The research hypothesis is that, in the symbolic representation, the aesthetic strategies used by the writer are deconstructive, guided in a language with particular arrangements in order to apply for a formalization of thematic issues related to periods of historical- social repression. From a bibliographic approach and comparative analysis guided by the sociology of literature, the books Confissões de Ralfo (1975), Simulacros (1977), Um romance de geração (1981), Amazona (1986), A senhorita Simpson: histórias (1989) and Um crime delicado (1997) are selected as object of analysis. The reflections are supported by concepts of Theodor Adorno, Mikhail Bakhtin, Anatol Rosenfeld, Linda Hutcheon, among others, and critical analysis of Brazilian contemporary literature and Sérgio Santa'Anna´s literature, including approaches developed by Regina Dalcastagnè, Flora Sussekind and Luis Santos. As fundamental issues presented in the research, it is important to point out the structural complexity of the author’s texts, the critic and fragmented representation of socio-historical conditionings in the text, both in the thematic approach and in the aesthetic choices, the subject destabilization and the dialogic style of literary composition.

A análise proposta neste estudo focaliza as relações entre seis narrativas literárias contemporâneas de Sérgio Sant’Anna e seus respectivos contextos de produção, com o objetivo de ampliar as reflexões sobre os textos ficcionais do escritor e discorrer acerca das opções estéticas usadas em cada obra para recompor um diálogo entre a História e a sociedade. A hipótese da pesquisa é que, na representação simbólica, as estratégias estéticas usadas pelo escritor são desconstrutoras, isto é, pautam-se em uma linguagem com arranjos particulares para agenciar a formalização de questões temáticas vinculadas aos períodos de repressão histórico-social. A partir de uma abordagem bibliográfica e de análises comparativas pautadas na sociologia da literatura, os livros Confissões de Ralfo (1975), Simulacros (1977), Um romance de geração (1981), Amazona (1986), A senhorita Simpson: histórias (1989) e Um crime delicado (1997) são selecionados como objeto de análise. As reflexões estão amparadas em conceitos de Theodor Adorno, Mikhail Bakhtin, Anatol Rosenfeld, Linda Hutcheon, entre outros, e em análises críticas da literatura brasileira contemporânea e da literatura de Sérgio Santa’Anna, incluindo abordagens desenvolvidas por Regina Dalcastagnè, Flora Sussekind e Luis Santos. Como questões fundamentais apontadas na investigação, cabe salientar a complexidade estrutural dos textos do autor, a representação crítica e fragmentária de condicionamentos sócio-históricos no texto tanto no enfoque temático quanto nas opções estéticas, a desestabilização do sujeito e o estilo dialógico da composição literária. / This study is focused on the relations between six contemporary literary narratives by Sérgio Sant'Anna and their contexts of production, aiming to amplify the reflections on the writer’s fictional texts and arguing about the aesthetic choices used in each work to rebuild a dialogue between history and society. The research hypothesis is that, in the symbolic representation, the aesthetic strategies used by the writer are deconstructive, guided in a language with particular arrangements in order to apply for a formalization of thematic issues related to periods of historical- social repression. From a bibliographic approach and comparative analysis guided by the sociology of literature, the books Confissões de Ralfo (1975), Simulacros (1977), Um romance de geração (1981), Amazona (1986), A senhorita Simpson: histórias (1989) and Um crime delicado (1997) are selected as object of analysis. The reflections are supported by concepts of Theodor Adorno, Mikhail Bakhtin, Anatol Rosenfeld, Linda Hutcheon, among others, and critical analysis of Brazilian contemporary literature and Sérgio Santa'Anna´s literature, including approaches developed by Regina Dalcastagnè, Flora Sussekind and Luis Santos. As fundamental issues presented in the research, it is important to point out the structural complexity of the author’s texts, the critic and fragmented representation of socio-historical conditionings in the text, both in the thematic approach and in the aesthetic choices, the subject destabilization and the dialogic style of literary composition.

A análise proposta neste estudo focaliza as relações entre seis narrativas literárias contemporâneas de Sérgio Sant’Anna e seus respectivos contextos de produção, com o objetivo de ampliar as reflexões sobre os textos ficcionais do escritor e discorrer acerca das opções estéticas usadas em cada obra para recompor um diálogo entre a História e a sociedade. A hipótese da pesquisa é que, na representação simbólica, as estratégias estéticas usadas pelo escritor são desconstrutoras, isto é, pautam-se em uma linguagem com arranjos particulares para agenciar a formalização de questões temáticas vinculadas aos períodos de repressão histórico-social. A partir de uma abordagem bibliográfica e de análises comparativas pautadas na sociologia da literatura, os livros Confissões de Ralfo (1975), Simulacros (1977), Um romance de geração (1981), Amazona (1986), A senhorita Simpson: histórias (1989) e Um crime delicado (1997) são selecionados como objeto de análise. As reflexões estão amparadas em conceitos de Theodor Adorno, Mikhail Bakhtin, Anatol Rosenfeld, Linda Hutcheon, entre outros, e em análises críticas da literatura brasileira contemporânea e da literatura de Sérgio Santa’Anna, incluindo abordagens desenvolvidas por Regina Dalcastagnè, Flora Sussekind e Luis Santos. Como questões fundamentais apontadas na investigação, cabe salientar a complexidade estrutural dos textos do autor, a representação crítica e fragmentária de condicionamentos sócio-históricos no texto tanto no enfoque temático quanto nas opções estéticas, a desestabilização do sujeito e o estilo dialógico da composição literária. / This study is focused on the relations between six contemporary literary narratives by Sérgio Sant'Anna and their contexts of production, aiming to amplify the reflections on the writer’s fictional texts and arguing about the aesthetic choices used in each work to rebuild a dialogue between history and society. The research hypothesis is that, in the symbolic representation, the aesthetic strategies used by the writer are deconstructive, guided in a language with particular arrangements in order to apply for a formalization of thematic issues related to periods of historical- social repression. From a bibliographic approach and comparative analysis guided by the sociology of literature, the books Confissões de Ralfo (1975), Simulacros (1977), Um romance de geração (1981), Amazona (1986), A senhorita Simpson: histórias (1989) and Um crime delicado (1997) are selected as object of analysis. The reflections are supported by concepts of Theodor Adorno, Mikhail Bakhtin, Anatol Rosenfeld, Linda Hutcheon, among others, and critical analysis of Brazilian contemporary literature and Sérgio Santa'Anna´s literature, including approaches developed by Regina Dalcastagnè, Flora Sussekind and Luis Santos. As fundamental issues presented in the research, it is important to point out the structural complexity of the author’s texts, the critic and fragmented representation of socio-historical conditionings in the text, both in the thematic approach and in the aesthetic choices, the subject destabilization and the dialogic style of literary composition.

This dissertation investigates compulsory care of alcohol abusers in Sweden during the years 1940 to 1981. The purposes of the dissertation are twofold: in part to determine the concrete forms which care services for alcohol abusers took during the years focused on, in part to analyze what connections existed between the development of services and conceptions of the reasons for, consequences of and possible solutions to alcohol abuse. One point of departure is that the problem was defined with respect to the interests of influential social actors, and with respect to a very particular view of what a respectable life (free of social problems) was. Among the most influential actors involved in these social services, I argue for a focus not least on so-called “street-level bureaucrats”, with direct influence on the goals and methods of institutional care. The study is thus oriented towards mapping the development of problem definitions and formulation within the praxis of compulsory care in four institutionalized care establishments for alcohol abusers. This development is contrasted to broader trends of institutional and discursive development in the definition of alcohol abuse as a social problem. The legislation regulating compulsory care has constantly been founded upon assumptions of the social damage caused by alcohol abuse. At the level of concepts or discourse the consequences of causes for and solutions to alcohol abuse were initially defined in terms of individual morality, with definitions subsequently developing so as to depart from more medicalized terminology. Towards the end of the period the problem descriptions became focused on societal dysfunctions and reforms as the respective causes of and solutions to societally problematic alcohol abuse. At the level of treatment focused upon in the dissertation, societal explanations of alcohol problems departing from societal dysfunctions as causes thereof, and societal reforms as solutions, have never been fully integrated in care services praxis. This was not the case for the simple reason that these care activities, as such, were developed to deal with individuals rather than with society. Neither did a medicalized perspective come to dominate institutionalized care during the period studied – something which can be explained not least with the fact that the perspective’s expansion was not attended by development of medical treatment methods which were convincing with respect to results of use. On one hand, concretely practiced compulsory care thus long remained dominated by problem definitions departing from inmates’ gender-specific moral qualities. On the other hand, certain elements of a more resource-oriented and societal-reformist perspective can certainly be distinguished in the development of care services, albeit on the special terms associated with service implementation in the field. In conclusion, the historical development of care services for alcohol abusers shows that alcohol abuse need not necessarily, or primarily, be seen as a problem having to do with individuals’ relationship with alcohol. Other definitions of the problem have focused upon individuals’ relationship also to working life, the family, sexual morals, the gender order, or capitalist oppression. The problem has been seen as a workers’ and poverty problem, a problem of families and violence, a medical problem, or a symptom of societal problems. Causes have been sought in the character of individuals, the ways in which they have been raised or not raised, their spiritual life, their metabolism, their genetic material, their socioeconomic environment, gender and family situation. The proposed solutions have included everything from work, organized coffee breaks, medicines, psychotherapy and democracy to piece-rate wages, no wages, collective care, or solitary confinement. Alcohol itself has been a secondary factor in the problem definitions which have let themselves be attached – either via perceived links of cause or of effect – to more overarching social issues. / <p>Sammanfattning på engelska med titeln: The rehab : compulsory care of alcohol abusers in Sweden 1940-1981</p>

The present work seeks to clarify the issue of immanent criticism and transcendent criticism in the so-called Critical Theory. To this end, the different forms of social criticism are used to present clearly what the Frankfurt School calls “immanent criticism of society”, following in the footsteps of Hegel and Kant. After that, it presents the observations that Rainer Forst, reinserting a Kantian inspiration, presents a distinction between immanent criticism / transcendent criticism. / El presente trabajo busca aclarar la cuestión de la crítica inmanente y la crítica trascendente en la llamada Teoría Crítica. Para ello distingue las diferentes formas de crítica social para poder presentar con claridad lo que la Escuela de Frankfurt denomina “crítica inmanente de la sociedad”, siguiendo las huellas de Hegel y Kant. Seguidamente pasa a presentar las objeciones que Rainer Forst, reinsertando una inspiración kantiana, presenta a la distinción entre crítica inmanente/crítica trascendente.