Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Νεοελληνική ΦιλολογίαLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Supervisors info:
Θανάσης Αγάθος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Νεοελληνικής Φιλολογίας, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Χριστίνα Ντουνιά, Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια Νεοελληνικής Φιλολογίας, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Ευριπίδης Γαραντούδης, Καθηγητής Νεοελληνικής Φιλολογίας, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Η θέση του μυθιστορήματος Ο Ανήφορος στην εργογραφία του Νίκου Καζαντζάκη
Translated title:
The place of the novel O Aniforos (The Ascent) in Nikos Kazantzakis' oeuvre
Summary:
The present thesis attempts to include the novel O Aniforos (The Ascent) in Nikos Kazantzakis' oeuvre. The hybrid character of the prose novel and the intertextual relations that the latter develops with literary works that precede and follow it, formed on the one hand the dominant research question summarised in the title, and on the other hand the axes around which the hermeneutical approach to this newly published literary work was based. More specifically, in the context of an introduction to the author's themes and methods -in order to show whether and to what extent they are relevant to the case of Aniforos- the strong influence of Plato on Nikos Kazantzakis is highlighted. The latter is documented both by the wide application of the dialectical method for the attribution of the oppositions that, throughout time, plague the author and by the more general echoes of the philosopher's political thought in his work; findings that provide a theoretical framework for the development of a part of the argumentation. Subsequently, after a brief reference to the 'origins' and traits of the Kazantzakian heroes, a comparative co-examination of the protagonist in Aniforos, Cosmas, and the corresponding character in the later Capetan Michalis takes place, using the motif of the "double heroes" as well. This is followed by an extensive discussion of the novel’s autobiographical elements, where, initially, the talking title (as O Aniforos/The Ascent reflects the "vital force theory") and the theological and political background of the plot, which is therefore mainly due to Bergon’s philosophy, are the object of interpretation; in other words, the way in which the author's worldview is channelled into his intellectual production is investigated. In this case this seems to be achieved through the obvious identification between Cosmas and Kazantzakis, which is analysed in detail, but also with the help of the literary masks that sometimes (also) constitute the three female characters in the novel to which attention is then immediately turned. The study is being completed by tracing aspects of Nikos Kazantzakis' poetics in Aniforos. Thus, after highlighting the primary role of myth, dance, and symbols, the focus is on the importance attached to the Word, while, finally, the expressive function of the dream element is examined.
Main subject category:
Language – Literature
Keywords:
Nikos Kazantzakis, O Aniforos (The Ascent), novel, Plato's influence, Bergson's philosophy, élan vital, post-communist credo, autobiographical elements, poetics
Number of references:
125
