Národní klasik nebo klasický národovec? : "Tausch" u Aloise Jiráska a Hanse Watzlika

Based on detailed analyses of the short stories "To the Germans" (1889) by Alois Jirásek and "The Road Home" (1925) (Heimweg) by Hans Watzlik, the study compares the persuasive factors leading to the formation of the concept of citizenship at the time of culminating nationalisation of society. It is based on the assumption of transcultural overlaps, as both stories thematise the socalled 'Tauš' or 'Handl'. This practice of exchanging children within Czech-German society may have led to bilingualism and reciprocal knowledge of the other Bohemian culture, while at the same time shaping personality. Both short stories end tragically with the death of the protagonists. Despite the many analogies and similarities found, a shift in the scales of value is nevertheless evident. This significantly differentiates the messages of both texts.