Paradoxical Christianity and apocalyptic vision in the later works of August Strindberg

Malekin, Bjorn-Gustav Theodore (2007) Paradoxical Christianity and apocalyptic vision in the later works of August Strindberg. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Following an acute crisis, a number of the later works of August Strindberg became marked by a deep religiosity, at once Christian and eclectic. The religious turn, evident in a number of his later plays, is accompanied by a radical development of Strindberg`s dramaturgy in his "dream plays." These imaginative, poetic plays disrupt logical narrative and character-development. In effect they undermine the salvific motifs woven into the fabric of these writings. These are paradoxically Christian, therefore, because although intensely religious, they are dramas that take place after the death of God. Drawing on Strindberg's paintings and novels as well as his plays, this thesis investigates the ramifications of the death of God in a number of Strindberg's later plays. To do so it also draws on the writings of both theologians and dramatic practitioners who all in their different ways are responding to the same situation confronted in Strindberg's writing. In doing so, it emerges how far Strindberg anticipates the religious and spiritual crises of the following century. Finally, I attempt to put Strindberg into the context of the post-postmodern condition, reflecting both on what this has to say to Strindberg, and what Strindberg has to say to it.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: August Strindberg, criticism, Christianity.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Supervisor's Name: Tsuchiya, Dr. Kiyoshi and Jasper, Prof. David
• Date of Award: 2007
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2007-71855
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 17 May 2019 09:31
• Last Modified: 11 Jul 2021 11:08
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.71855
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/71855