Elämänpolun kaarteessa : Elsa Heporaudan kirjailijauran alku Jyväskylässä 1910-1922

Abstract

This study focuses on the early stages of Elsa Heporauta's career as an author in Jyväskylä from 1910 to 1922. The method consists primarily of content analysis and textual analysis. A literary historical and cultural historical approach is however also used to help to point out the connections between the author's production and the ideas and the cultural life of that period. The Jyväskylä years of Heporauta are a miniature picture of her life's work. She turns out to be a very idealistic person who was a many-sided, influential cultural figure in her time. The study examines her activities which, in addition to literary work, extended to such areas as women's rights, journalistic and editorial work. The study analyzes Heporauta's feminist articles. Her aesthetic views are revealed in the essays which she published in the journal called Pyrkijä. The study also discusses her activity as a front-line correspondent in the civil war as well as the anthology about young victims of war which she had compiled. Furthermore, the analysis focuses on a book on household management and child rearing which she was writing. It is shown that the children's readers that she edited follow the line of moralism and idealism that was typical of Finnish children's literature. In these books Heporauta tries to support the child's social, moral and ethical development, without forgetting fun and fantasy. Her folklore publication reflects the idealizing attitude towards folk tradition and the national past which was typical at that time. She also used to organize patriotic folk festivals. The study analyzes a poetical performance which she had composed for one such festival. It reflects a provincial spirit and confidence in a bright future for Finland. Heporauta's literary production which, especially during her life times, was very highly esteemed, is very varied. In the animal novel Huli-Vili, both dogs and children are psychologically truthfully described. The play Kumpi rakkaus, characterized by its humour and brisk action, is part of the Finnish literary tradition which values the countryside and its traditional life form. Even as a writer Heporauta aims at enlightening the people, beleaving in each individual's ability to develop, and she demands that each person should take his life in his own hands.