The influence of Vonnegut’s didactic purpose of writing on the treatment of theme  and structure in Slaughterhouse-Five is investigated in this study. The following  elements of structure are studied: point of view, the treatment of time, characterization,  the use of other sources, and imagery. These are constantly related to  the novel’s themes, such as war, cruelty, death, time, innocence, survival, free  will, fantasy and regeneration. Since Vonnegut himself survived the Dresden  bombings during World War Two, his novel is very personal, which is particularly  reflected in his point-of-view technique, the subject of Chapter One. Vonnegut creates  double narrators in Slaughterhouse-Five : a personal one, including authorial  intrusions, and an impersonal one. This division is a direct reflection of the  dichotomy between reality and fantasy that prevails in the novel.  In Chapter Two, Vonnegut’s treatment of time is demonstrated to be a process of  spatialization. Structurally, this means a fragmented narrative split into several  time levels that chiefly form what the author calls his ”telegraphic schizophrenic"  style. Thematically, the protagonist comes "unstuck" in time, thus succeeding in  confronting an absurd world and finally transcending death.  Vonnegut uses the depiction of character mainly to express ideas and to reinforce  themes, since he regards his characters as "bugs in amber," involuntarily stuck,  excepting their capacity for fantasy. To facilitate the reader’s recognition of  these sketchy characters, Vonnegut has equipped them with marks of recognition,  often repeated, and names that provide clues to their personalities. All characters  are shown to be isolated and lonely, except on Tralfamadore where a dream woi;ld  exists.  In the fourth chapter, Vonnegut’s use of other sources is examined. His carefully  chosen quotations fall into two groups: first, historical sources that verify facts,  such as the Dresden catastrophy; second, fictional sources that stimulate the human  imagination, which turns out to be the protagonist's means of survival.  Finally, imagery in Slaughterhouse-Five, studied in Chapter Five, is found to be  used for enrichment of a style otherwise characterized by great economy. Much of  the imagery strikes a humorous tone. A simple, quotidian vocabulary is developed.  War imagery is used to deglorify war. Animal imagery is invoked to ridicule and to  show man’s true place in the universe. Several oxymora further reinforce the incongruity  prevailing in the Vonnegutian world. The negative effect of imagery is  also found in symbols pertaining to Billy’s life situation. As a contrast, however,  there are also positive symbols emphasizing nature’s annual cycle of rebirth signifying  hope and regeneration.  Many of the stylistic elements studied reveal that Vonnegut has chosen thematic and  structural solutions that make his novel accessible to a large reading audience.  The fragmented, at times circular, structure of Slaughterhouse-Five is indeed a  "dance with death." In a thematic sense, death is the writer’s own muse that he  must dutifully dance with in order to create his work of art. Slaughterhouse-Five  is not only Vonnegut’s account of his own war experience but also a statement on  the human condition. / digitalisering@umu

This dissertation discusses the representation of investigative journalism in two Hollywood films produced between 2009 and 2015. The films in question are Spotlight (2015) and State of Play (2009). Investigative reporting and its practices are being discussed by using academic literature and previous research as the foundation of the study, followed by a discussion about the chosen research method: textual analysis. The textual analysis is conducted by concentrating specifically on three core journalistic practices of objectivity, use of sources and news values, and how these practices are represented in the films. The three core practices are teased out by using specific sequences from the movies in a form of images. The results of the analysis are then contrasted towards the existing literature discussed in the literature review. By using the means of textual analysis, the study found that both films are relying on stereotypes about journalism yet certain ‘reality’ about journalism can be found in these films. The journalists are in many cases shown as outcasts yet heroic figures who conduct thorough investigation and inform the public. In both films, the profession of investigative journalism is legitimized, and the journalists are depicted as the watchdogs of the society. Both movies lay much importance on the individual reporters and the investigation processes: processes that are rare in real newsrooms. This further enhances the mythic and overly positive, romanticized representation on journalism in films. As the study was based on textual analysis only, its nature was qualitative and interpretative. Future studies could include, yet not be limited to, adding another method and through this, to further deepen the research about journalism in films. Areas of research could include films produced in the 21st century and more specifically, films about journalism in the digital era.

The development of the wind energy exploitation is a sum of processes which are subject to variety of heterogeneous factors. The nature and the leverage power of those factors vary and develop over time. Each regional or national location can be characterized by variety of factors, which are specific for respective locations. The wind energy development in the Czech Republic is influenced by number of barriers which restrain or slow down further progress. These barriers stem from environmental, economical, social and institutional disposition/nature of respective technologies. This thesis at first, based on available qualitative and quantitative data, describes and analyzes the situation and development of the wind energy exploitation. Specifics of the wind energy are placed in the context of selected European countries where factors and barriers influencing the development is described. The theme is regarded with spatio-temporal distribution of a "new technology". The thesis goes on focusing on identification of barriers that have impact on the wind energy development in the Czech Republic. Those restrictions/barriers are subsequently confronted with stands and perception of specific stakeholders, which are involved in the process. Analyses are carried out not only on individual barriers but also...