Jaroslav Havlíček
Encyclopedia
Jaroslav Havlíček was a Czech novelist. He was an exponent of naturalism
and psychological novel
in Czech literature.
. He studied Gymnasium
in Jičín
and then courses of commercial economics. Shortly after he entered ČVUT he was drafted to serve in the Austrian army in Kadaň
from where he soon went to front (Russia
, Italy
). After World War I he finished his studies and became an official. He married Marie Krausová, daughter to a Jilemnice soapmaker, in 1921. Father to Zbyněk Havlíček,
at the turn of the 20th century. His masterpiece is a novel called originally Vyprahlé touhy (Thirsty Lusts, 1935) and re-written by the author under the name Petrolejové lampy (Kerosene Lamps, 1944). Most of his novels (Neviditelný/Invisible, Vlčí kůže/Wolf's skin, Helimadoe) are psychological novels about young men and women and their relationships in extreme conditions.
Naturalism (literature)
Naturalism was a literary movement taking place from the 1880s to 1940s that used detailed realism to suggest that social conditions, heredity, and environment had inescapable force in shaping human character...
and psychological novel
Psychological novel
A psychological novel, also called psychological realism, is a work of prose fiction which places more than the usual amount of emphasis on interior characterization, and on the motives, circumstances, and internal action which springs from, and develops, external action...
in Czech literature.
Life
Jaroslav Havlíček was born in a teacher's family in Jilemnice, Liberec RegionLiberec Region
Liberec Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located in the northernmost part of its historical region of Bohemia. Region borders with Saxony, and Poland...
. He studied Gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
in Jičín
Jicín
Jičín is a town in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It lies approximately 85 km northeast of Prague in the scenic region of the Bohemian Paradise under the Prachov Rocks ....
and then courses of commercial economics. Shortly after he entered ČVUT he was drafted to serve in the Austrian army in Kadaň
Kadan
Kadaň , is a city in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic.The city lies on the banks of the river Ohře. Although it is situated in an industrial part of the Czech Republic there is no major industry within the city and people usually work in offices or have to commute. There are two...
from where he soon went to front (Russia
Eastern Front (World War I)
The Eastern Front was a theatre of war during World War I in Central and, primarily, Eastern Europe. The term is in contrast to the Western Front. Despite the geographical separation, the events in the two theatres strongly influenced each other...
, Italy
Italian Campaign (World War I)
The Italian campaign refers to a series of battles fought between the armies of Austria-Hungary and Italy, along with their allies, in northern Italy between 1915 and 1918. Italy hoped that by joining the countries of the Triple Entente against the Central Powers it would gain Cisalpine Tyrol , the...
). After World War I he finished his studies and became an official. He married Marie Krausová, daughter to a Jilemnice soapmaker, in 1921. Father to Zbyněk Havlíček,
Work
His novels are usually situated to a provincial town with clear signs of JilemniceJilemnice
Jilemnice is a town in the Czech Republic.Belonged to the younger branch of counts Harrach.-Notable persons from Jilemnice:*Jan Weiss - Writer*Ales Vodsedalek - Nordic combined skier*Jakub Hlava - Ski jumper*Lukas Hlava - Ski jumper...
at the turn of the 20th century. His masterpiece is a novel called originally Vyprahlé touhy (Thirsty Lusts, 1935) and re-written by the author under the name Petrolejové lampy (Kerosene Lamps, 1944). Most of his novels (Neviditelný/Invisible, Vlčí kůže/Wolf's skin, Helimadoe) are psychological novels about young men and women and their relationships in extreme conditions.