TLÜ ÕIS

The Renewal of Estonian Literature

Course code

EKE6302.HT

old course code

Course title in Estonian

Eesti kirjanduse uuenemine

Course title in English

The Renewal of Estonian Literature

ECTS credits

6.0

Assessment form

Examination

lecturer of 2024/2025 Spring semester

Ave Mattheus (language of instruction:Estonian)

lecturer of 2025/2026 Autumn semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

Course aims

The course provides systematized and contemporary knowledge of Estonian literature from the last quarter of the 19th century to the 1940s. It develops students' ability to work independently with literary and literary research texts from different periods. It offers practical experience in independently analyzing specific literary and literary research texts.

Brief description of the course

The focus is on Estonian literature from the last quarter of the 19th century to the 1940s. Key issues in Estonian literature: closeness to life, spirit, and power, as well as aesthetic attitudes in realism and modernism. The influence of E. Vilde on Estonian literature (the historical trilogy, “The Milkman of Mäeküla,” “Pisuhänd,” “The Elusive Miracle”). A. Kitzberg's “Werewolf.” The movements of Young Estonia, Siuru, and Tarapita. The poetry of G. Suits, J. Vares-Barbarus, M. Under, and H. Visnapuu. The works of A. H. Tammsaare (“Truth and Justice,” “I Loved a German”). F. Tuglas' short stories. The literary life of the independent Republic of Estonia. The works of A. Gailit (“Toomas Nipernaadi”) and P. Vallak. Drama and H. Raudsepp (“Mikumärdi”). The Arbujad group (H. Talvik, B. Alver). J. Sütiste's poetry. Prose of the 1930s. J. Semper, K. A. Hindrey, A. Jakobson, E. Kippel, M. Metsanurk, A. Mälk, A. Kivikas (“Names in Marble”), K. Ristikivi (Tallinn Trilogy). The key works of this period are analyzed and linked to their literary-historical context.

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
- has an overview of the main trends and concepts in Estonian literature from the last quarter of the 19th century to the 1940s;
- has enhanced the ability to analyze literary and literary-historical texts from different periods;
- has improved the ability to articulate thoughts arising from reading literary works.

Teacher

Ave Mattheus

Study programmes containing that course