Román Tisícročná včela ako slovenský obraz „fin de siècle“
Novel Tisícročná včela (The Millennial Bee) as a Slovak reflection of „fin de siècle“

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyses a novel Tisícročná včela (The Millennial Bee, 1979) by a Slovak writer Peter Jaroš. This novel was one of the most read, discussed and translated Slovak literary texts of the 1980s. The novel’s popularity was enhanced by its film version directed by Juraj Jakubisko. In this paper, the novel is understood as a cultural text which, through the use of various encoded signs, gives an image of the Slovak life during the times of Central European “fin de siècle”. The main emphasis is on the analysis of the main character, Samo Pichanda, who seeks his identity and social status not only in the official structures of the decaying Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, but also in the mythical environment of his family and its history. The novel is an open, problematizing and inspirative postmodern text that significantly enriched thematic and poetical potential of the modern Slovak novel during the period of its publication.

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