The Power of Writing: Literature and Dissent in Czechoslovakia, 1939 – 1989

Since the birth of modern Czech literature in early 19th century, Czech writers were assigned the difficult part of the nation’s moral conscience. They were not only the guardians of Czech language and cultural heritage but also the pillars of Czech society, exemplary citizens, fighters for freedom.

As there was no shortage of historical challenges, this demand continued well into the 20th century, making writers often oscillate between their allegiance to the community and their responsibility to their own authentic creative vision.

In this course, we will read some of the most important literary texts of twentieth century Czech literature. We will reflect on the continued tension between state power and artistic and civic consciousness and its influence on the writings but also the lives of some major authors, such as Ivan Olbracht, Josef Jedlička, Jiří Weil, Bohumil Hrabal, Josef Škvorecký, Václav Havel, Milan Kundera, Zdena Salivarová, Ludvík Vaculík.

How was the writing of these authors shaped by the political circumstances, and how would their lives develop had they lived in a free society and not in the “ghetto” of dissent or in a forced exile?

We will also consider the philosophical ideas of two prominent dissident Czech philosophers, Jan Patočka and Karel Kosík, whose ethical thinking developed under the pressure of the totalitarian state and in dialogue with the literature of the period.

Two theatre plays by Vaclav Havel will be staged in class. We will also visit the unique Prague based archival research library of samizdat and exile books Libri Prohibiti.

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