Supervisors info:
Κωνσταντίνος Μαλαφάντης, Καθηγητής, Π.Τ.Δ.Ε, Ε.Κ.Π.Α
Θωμάς Μπαμπάλης, Καθηγητής, Π.Τ.Δ.Ε, Ε.Κ.Π.Α
Γεωργία Καλογήρου, Καθηγήτρια, Π.Τ.Δ.Ε, Ε.Κ.Π.Α
Summary:
Dido Sotiriou was undoubtedly one of the most important Greek writers of the 20th century. She was a prolific, award-winning author of the post-war generation of Greek writers. She lived through some of the most turbulent periods of Greek history (Asia Minor catastrophe, World War II, civil war, seven-year dictatorship) which left an indelible impression on her. Highly political herself, she could not help but transfer to her novels—all of which are biographical and carry her political experiences—what she lived through. With sensitivity and realism, knowledge and attention, she touched on difficult issues that have deeply hurt the Greek society, not to kindle but to shed light on causes, to show who was to blame and out of her sincere desire for peace and progress for her country.
The paper begins with a flashback to the historical novel, but also to Greek literature in general from the 19th century to the present day. It presents the main features of the historical novel that distinguish it from other types of novels, as well as the variations through which the novel passed. The above presentation leads us to the conclusion that Dido Sotiriou, although she belonged to the interbellum generation, produced important works several years later; works that stand between a historical novel and personal testimony.
Subsequently, the paper discusses theoretical elements about the characters such as: definitions, their relation to the plot, the point of view, the setting, the theme and the structure of a novel. Also, it presents the character categories based on various criteria, the typologies, and the methods that the author uses to characterize a hero. Finally, based on the above theories, the third chapter of the paper attempts to comment on and categorize the female fictional characters in the following works of the Dido Sotiriou: The Dead Await (Oi nekroi perimenoun), Elektra, Farewell Anatolia (Matomena Khomata), Commandment (Entoli), Shattered (Katedafizometha), Children of Spartacus (Ta paidia tou Spartakou).
This paper aims to demonstrate the vivacity of the female fictional characters in the works of Dido Sotiriou and the effect they really had on the important events of modern Greek history to this day. Modern women who live in turbulent, difficult, and ever-changing times, but find a way to rise to the occasion.
Key words: Dido Sotiriou, historical, novel, female, characters.
Keywords:
Dido Sotiriou, historical, novel, female, characters
