Literary Studies Course - The Poetics of Night in 19th-Century Literature and Art Ip, IIp-OG 3304-1DPXW-KL-047-OG

The course will focus on the characteristics of the literary motif of night as presented against the backdrop of the major aesthetic movements of the 19th century—Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism, Decadentism, and Symbolism.

The course will begin by highlighting the significance of the motif of night for Romantic aesthetics, which symbolically distanced itself from the metaphorical clarity of the Enlightenment. Excerpts from Nodier’s fantasy story will be discussed as an example of frenetic literature employing the motif of a nightmarish night. Students will explore the lyrical depiction of night in Romantic literature, as well as the use of this motif in A. de Musset’s Romantic drama. Based on an excerpt from a text by G. Sand and a piece by Chopin, the literary and musical “nocturne” will be discussed. The painterly dimension of night will be presented based on a selected prose poem by A. Bertrand.

The course will also explore the connection between night and pathological conditions—somnambulism, madness, and nightmares as symptoms of mental illness (Balzac, Nerval, Maupassant).

In the literature of the second half of the century, the motif of night will be examined in the context of the aesthetics of Decadentism and Symbolism, in which night becomes not only a material space but also a psychological one. The presence of surprising, terrifying images is emphasized here. The class will explore the themes of moonlight (Verlaine) and dawn (Rimbaud).

Course coordinators

Anna Opiela-Mrozik

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

- The student knows and understands the role and significance of literary studies in the context of 19th-century French literature (K_W01)
- The student knows and understands the schools of thought and methodologies in the study of 19th-century French literature (K_W04)
- The student knows and understands the aesthetic movements in 19th-century literature and is able to identify their chronology and the connections between them (K_W05)
- The student knows and understands the principles of analysis and interpretation of 19th-century French literary texts (K_W09)
- The student knows and understands historical and literary facts and the processes occurring in 19th-century French literature (K_W10)
- The student is able to prepare a presentation on a given topic based on literary texts and critical studies of 19th-century French literature (K_U06)
- The student is able to apply knowledge of 19th-century French literature in a discussion (K_U12)
- The student understands the value of the 19th-century literary heritage and is prepared to help preserve it (K_K04)

Assessment criteria

- Mandatory attendance (two unexcused absences per semester; if there are more, additional work will be required)
- Preparation and active participation in class (participation in discussions, group work)
- Preparation of a final presentation (individually or in pairs)
- Written test (closed-ended and open-ended questions) covering material covered in class and the required readings

Teaching methods: guided discussion, group work, flipped classroom, elements of the project-based learning method

Bibliography

J. Adamski, Historia literatury francuskiej – zarys, Wrocław 1989.
K. Dybeł, B. Marczuk, J. Prokop, Historia literatury francuskiej, Warszawa 2005.
J. Heistein, Historia literatury francuskiej: od początków do czasów najnowszych, Wrocław 1997.
B. Mucha, Literatura francuska XIX wieku : wykłady o literaturze i kulturze europejskiej, Piotrków Trybunalski 2005.
Literatura francuska, t. II, XIX i XX wiek, red. A. Adam, Warszawa 1980.
Noce romantyków. Literatura, kultura i obyczaj, red. D. Skiba, A. Rej, M. Ursel, Kraków, Universitas, 2015.

Wybór tekstów literackich (lub fragmentów tekstów), utwory muzyczne i reprodukcje malarskie.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes: