Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner: Homosexuality and Religion in British and American Literature

Bc. Mariia Minaeva

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Tato práce se zaměřuje na to, jak spisovatelé propojují témata homosexuálních vztahů a náboženství, primárně katolicismu. Práce se snaží dokázat, že i když koncept homosexuality vyvolává v křesťanském diskurzu kontroverzní reakci, autoři se často zaměřují ne na rozporuplnou stránku této kombinace, ale vyobrazují oba aspekty jako rovnocenné části něčí identity. Tato práce analyzuje Concerning the Eccentricities of Cardinal Pirelli od Ronalda Firbanka, The Swimming-Pool Library od Alana Hollinghursta a Brideshead Revisited od Evelyn Waugh. Co se tyče amerických textů, zkoumá Giovanni’s Room od Jamese Baldwina a Call Me by Your Name od André Acimana.

Abstract:

This thesis examines how writers connect the topics of homosexual relationships and religion, specifically Catholicism. It strives to prove that even though the concept of homosexuality evokes a controversial reaction in Christian discourse, the writers often focus not on the contradictory side of this combination but show both aspects as equal parts of someone’s identity. This thesis analyzes Concerning the Eccentricities of Cardinal Pirelli by Ronald Firbank, The Swimming-Pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst, and Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. As to American texts, it examines Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin and Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman.

Keywords

homosexuality, religion, Christianity, paganism, nostalgia

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 5. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 15. 6. 2023
• Supervisor: doc. Michael Matthew Kaylor, PhD.
• Reader: M.A. Jeffrey Alan Smith, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
English Language and Literature / English Language and Literature