Från skam till självaktning : En tematisk läsning av judisk identitet i Jascha Golowanjuks Främmande fågel

This essay offers a thematic analysis focusing specifically on antisemitic motifs, in Jascha Golowanjuk’s novel Främmande fågel (1944). The Jewish identity of the protagonist is analyzed as a parallel development to his other identity processes, in which his artistry as a violinist is especially emphasized. This analysis is mainly achieved by using Jean-Paul Sartre’s theory of the anti-Semitic Jew, as well as Frantz Fanon’s writings about racism. By reason of the insufficient previous research on Jascha Golowanjuk, a brief introduction to the author and his Swedish authorship is provided, along with its reception during the 1930s and 40s. I argue that the protagonist’s development of a Jewish identity is essential to his artistry. Finally, this essay explores the contrast between the discussion of Jewish identity within Golowanjuk´s novels, and the complete disregard the literary establishment had for this very same discussion