Minder om modstand: En litteraturhistorisk undersøgelse af fremstillingen af den danske modstandsbevægelse under 2. verdenskrig og erindringen af denne i dansk litteratur over tid

English abstract: This thesis embarks on a literary historical exploration of how the Danish resistance movement during World War II has been depicted in Danish literature across different periods, focusing on three pivotal works: Churchill-klubben (1945) by Knud Pedersen, De nøgne træer (1957) by Tage Skou-Hansen, and Drengene fra Sankt Petri (1991) by Bjarne Reuter. By integrating theories of memory studies, the study examines the evolving portrayals and negotiations of the resistance movement’s actions and motivations as well as its place within a collective, cultural, and individual memory. The thesis employs a methodological framework that besides memory studies incorporates narrative theory and historical theory of consensus and conflict narratives. Initially depicted as heroic and naive in participant accounts, the portrayals of the resistance movement have evolved into more nuanced and critical interpretations reflecting on the complexity of historicism and the shaping of national identity. The analysis examines the interaction between literary representation, cultural memory, and historical interpretation. It demonstrates that literature does more than just mirror society; it actively helps shape and reassess collective memory. The thesis highlights how literature serves a dual purpose: it both preserves and challenges the prevalent narratives of heroism and national unity. This dual role deepens our understanding of the complex ways in which memory and identity are formed in Danish society after the war. It shows that literary works are vital for remembering, interpreting, and even challenging Denmark’s World War II legacy. The thesis argues for a broader understanding of how the resistance movement is depicted, recognizing the complexities and contradictions involved in remembering a turbulent period in Danish history. Finally, the thesis employs the concepts of postmemory and perpetrator postmemory to treat a very recent piece of fiction, Måske Sjæle