New Changes in the Traditional Image of the Saints in European Literature in the 20th Century

Abstract

Because of the profound influence of religion, especially Christianity, on the development of European literature, the saint has always been an important figure in traditional literary works. European literature has gone through different stages of development, and the image and status of the saint in literature are constantly undergoing new changes. As European society entered the 20th century, a number of social and intellectual changes took place, which also led to many new changes in literature. This paper focuses on new changes resulting from the deconstruction and reconstruction of the image of the saints in 20th-century European literature. Thus, efficient approaches are needed to explore the definition of saints in traditional European literature, show new changes in the image of saints, and analyse the reasons for these changes. The results obtained in this research include the definition of the original concept of sainthood, the new changes in the image in the 20th century, and the reasons for the changes. These results suggest that the figure of the saint in 20th-century literature transcends the confines of traditional religious contexts and exists more as an absolutely sacred individual.