CJBC824 "Odi et amo." Czech Culture and Society of the End of the 19th Century from J. Zeyers Point of View

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2015
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Recommended Type of Completion: k (colloquium). Other types of completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Petr Bubeníček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Michal Fránek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Zbyněk Fišer, Ph.D.
Department of Czech Literature – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Eva Zachová
Supplier department: Department of Czech Literature – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 14:10–15:45 zruseno D22
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 70 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/70, only registered: 0/70, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/70
Course objectives
The aim of this lecture series is to present Czech culture and society of the late 19th century from the perspective of a writer who, by his origin, social position as well as his work, strongly deviated from the image of “Czechness” prevalent in his period. Zeyer’s French-German-Jewish origin, background of a rich Prague family, flaunted aristocratism, and interest in spiritual and religious issues stood in sharp contrast to the milieu and views of the plebeian Czech society that tended toward positivism and anti-Catholic ism. Julius Zeyer’s affectionate, yet very critical attitude to this society thus provides a rare opportunity to see Czech society of that time through the eyes of a “stranger” on the one hand, and to observe how Czech culture dealt with Zeyer’s “otherness” on the other hand. In the lecture series, Czech culture of the late 19th century will be interpreted in broader European context, consistently with Zeyer’s “cosmopolitan” inclination; other kinds of art (music, fine arts, theatre, film) will also be considered. Selected lectures will be given by invited lecturers – renowned experts on the particular topic. The lecture is intended for all those who are interested in Czech history and culture of the second half of the 19th century, a period crucial to the development of modern Czech society.
Syllabus
  • Introductory lecture: Julius Zeyer and Czech society – undesired coexistence? 1. With Parnassianists in Lumír: Zeyer’s literary beginnings in the 1870s 2. Prague, abroad, Vodňany: Zeyer’s restless 1880s 3. Triumph, but also tiredness: Zeyer’s end of the century 4. Zeyer’s approach to Czech history 5. Zeyer’s attitude to French culture 6. Zeyer’s exoticism 7. Inspirations by Zeyer in fine arts 8. Inspirations by Zeyer in music 9. Film adaptations of Zeyer’s works 10. “We are afraid not to believe or to believe.” Zeyer’s spiritual quest
Literature
  • KUDRNÁČ, Jiří, Luisa NOVÁKOVÁ, Zuzana URVÁLKOVÁ, Miroslava NOVOTNÁ, Michal FRÁNEK and Tereza RIEDLBAUCHOVÁ (EDS.). Julius Zeyer, lumírovský básník v duchovním dění Evropy (Julius Zeyer; a poet of the Lumír circle; in European spiritual tendencies). Online. Brno: Host, 2011. 480 pp. ISBN 978-80-7294-346-3. [citováno 2024-04-23] info
  • HAMAN, Aleš. Trvání v proměně : česká literatura devatenáctého století. Online. 1. vydání. Praha: ARSCI, 2007. 370 stran. ISBN 9788086078717. [citováno 2024-04-23] info
  • Sny o štěstí : Ruchovci a Lumírovci.. Online. Edited by Miloš Pohorský. V Praze: Československý spisovatel, 1986, [citováno 2024-04-23] info
  • PYNSENT, Robert B. Julius Zeyer : the path to decadence. Online. The Hague: Mouton, 1973. 264 s. [citováno 2024-04-23] info
  • VOBORNÍK, Jan. Julius Zeyer. Online. V Praze: Nákladem České grafické akciové společnosti Unie, 1907. ix, 302. [citováno 2024-04-23] info
Teaching methods
lecture, explication to, in synopsis given, theme
Assessment methods
written test
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
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