1. http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3810b/88/

2. Juhani Aho
Juhani Aho – 1861-1921
National author of Finland
Statue of Juhani Aho in Helsinki

3. Juhani Aho
• Recognized as Finland’s leading novelist at the
turn of the 20th century.
• His writing expressed
– Finnish nationalism in the face of Russian oppression
– Karelian “heartland” culture of Finland
– Realism
– National romanticism and nostalgia
– Themes that transcended time and place

4. Themes in Juha
• Extremely challenging life in rural Finland
• Tribalism (loyalty to family)
• Love, betrayal, tragedy . . .
– Pastoralism / security
– Desire / romance / recklessness
• References to Finnish cultural and historical
conditions

5. Questions to consider as you read
• What qualities does Juha’s character represent?
– How are you responding to Juha as the drama progresses? (Do
you sympathize / empathize with him? How so or why not?)
• What does Marja represent?
– How do you respond to her? Why?
• What does Shemaikka represent?
– What is your response to him?

6. tp://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1464&bih=957&tbm=isch&tbnid=muP86UWOudmbXM:&imgrefurl=http://wooi.me/version/1.0/index.php%3Fl%3Den%
e%3D3&docid=SN29c0RE4EdQrM&imgurl=http://wooi.me/version/1.0/img/29.jpg&w=1600&h=1200&ei=_TxrT8-ZKqeZiQKH7o3JBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=728&vpy=
9&dur=369&hovh=138&hovw=177&tx=156&ty=89&sig=102223075324149610984&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=177&start=0&ndsp=34&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:0