Sounding For Revolution In A New Key: Discussing Vaclav Havel's Iconic Essay, The Power of the Powerless

Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Haverford College. Department of History
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Open Access
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
This thesis looks at rebellion and dissidence under Communism in Eastern Europe. Specifically, it examines the 1978 essay The Power of the Powerless, by Vaclav Havel, Czech playwright turned political activist. The question can be asked, "Why choose Havel and this particular essay out of the many Eastern European dissidents and the many works written?" Because of his authorship of this iconic essay and his leadership role in Czechoslovak rebellion against the Communist regime, Havel became an idol of the dissident movement against the communist regime in Czechoslovakia . However, the Communist Party preferred to view him as an enemy of the state. He was imprisoned on numerous occasions for his heroic stance and actions, but this only sharpened his perspective and bolstered his resolve. It resulted in the drafting of this unique document and strengthened Havel's impact on the nature of this rebellion . The Power of the Powerless is interesting because of its uniqueness and understated pervasiveness. It did not have a direct and immediate effect of bringing about the end of Communism in the region; it had more of an indirect impact, one more of morals and of ideology. This thesis argues that through The Power of the Powerless, Vaclav Havel successfully helped create an environment in which revolution would be successful in Eastern Europe and turned growing revolutionary thought in Czechoslovakia into revolutionary action. It achieves this by explaining Havel's comments on the power of ideology, describing The Power of the Powerless as a unique document in revolutionary Eastern Europe, and placing it in context as a response to Charter 77 and, most-importantly, as a call-to-arms.
Description
Citation
Collections