THE CONCEPT OF FEMALE HEROIZM IN THE PERSPEKTIVE OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW (BASED ON THE COLLECTION OF REPORTS BY AGATA PUŚCIKOWSKA “SISTERS OF HOPE”)

Abstract

The current social and cultural realities in Ukrainian society, caused by the war with Russia, have increased the interest in the themes of heroes, heroism, and what it means to be heroic. Modern Ukrainian writers are modeling new concepts of heroism, composing them through the lens of war events in Ukraine. This phenomenon requires literary analysis. This article explores the concept of female heroism through the reports in the book “Sisters of Hope” by A. Puścikowska. It focuses on the Christian aspect of heroism, given that the main characters are nuns. The reports depict events from the early stages of Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, where the war intertwines with the characters’ daily lives, challenging them and forcing to make moral choices. A significant feature of the heroism shown in “Sisters of Hope” is its integration with everyday life, leading to the adoption of the “Everyday Hero” concept, developed by psychologists J. Ketczer, B. File, G. Orosz, and P. Zimbardo, as the methodological basis of the study.

The underscoring the study’s relevance fact is that Ukrainian literary experts have not yet conducted a comprehensive analysis of the everyday heroism concept.

The article emphasizes that the actions of the women in “Sisters of Hope” are genuinely heroic. These nuns, though not prominent figures, embody a new form of heroism that transcends the cult of personality. When faced with choices, they are guided not by nationalistic or patriotic beliefs but by a sense of vocation and selfless dedication. Their spiritual and moral ideal is Jesus, and their strength and inner peace derive from faith in God’s protection. The nuns are portrayed as intelligent, educated, and capable, with skills like foreign language proficiency and driving. Their journey’s hardships make them stronger and more resilient, while their unwavering faith in God helps them overcome these challenges.

The conclusions note that A. Puścikowska, representing the military events in Ukraine, models the concept of heroism of a woman, which is based on the Christian worldview. Although the nuns are engaged in the conflict, their actions are not driven by militancy but by a mission to save lives, guided by love for humanity and service to God.

Future literary studies might focus on a comprehensive examination of thenew heroic figures emerging in the works of contemporary authors.