Emancipation of the National Identity in Augusts Deglavs’ Novel “Riga”

A study reveals how Augusts Deglavs' novel 'Riga' captures the emergence of Latvian national identity amid the multicultural dynamics of 19th-century Riga, highlighting the tension between Latvian and German influences. The research applies cultural studies, New Historicism, and post-colonial theory to analyze the novel's portrayal of social and national identity formation, focusing on language, social practices, and the Young Latvians' movement as catalysts for national awakening. Notably, it draws on John Austin’s concept of performative language to illustrate how words in specific contexts can shape historical processes, offering a nuanced perspective on the emancipation of Latvian identity under German cultural hegemony.

Genese-Plaude, I. (2023). Emancipation of the National Identity in Augusts Deglavs’ Novel “Riga”. Respectus Philologicus, (44 (49)), 130–141. https://doi.org/10.15388/respectus.2023.44.49.114