چكيده
This thesis explores the evolution and intricacies of modern and postmodern literature, with a particular focus on Milan Kunderaʹs contributions to the literary world. The work begins with a comprehensive theoretical framework that contrasts modernism and postmodernism, highlighting their key characteristics and the shifts in narrative techniques that distinguish these movements. Modern literature is characterized by its exploration of subjectivism and fragmentation, often seeing these as existential crises that need resolution. In contrast, postmodern literature embraces fragmentation and the impossibility of order, using playfulness and irony as central elements. The thesis then delves into Kunderaʹs critique of 19th-century realism, particularly its focus on psychological interiority, verisimilitude, and plot-driven narratives. Kundera challenges these conventions, advocating for a novelistic approach that embraces existential inquiry, moral ambiguity, and the irrational aspects of human experience. His novels are described as philosophical meditations that prioritize thematic exploration over traditional storytelling, with characters serving as vehicles for broader existential themes rather than fully realized individuals. The discussion further examines Kunderaʹs innovative narrative techniques, including his use of an intrusive narrator, polyphonic structure, and the integration of novelistic essays. These techniques allow Kundera to blur the boundaries between fiction and reality, engage readers in the interpretive process, and explore the complexities of human existence. The thesis also analyzes Kunderaʹs famous work, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, as a quintessential example of his narrative style, illustrating his rejection of linear narratives and moral certainties. In conclusion, the thesis argues that Kunderaʹs work represents a significant departure from both modernist and realist traditions, offering a unique blend of philosophical inquiry and narrative experimentation that continues to resonate in contemporary literature. His novels challenge readers to confront the uncertainties of existence and to question the very nature of reality and truth.
