Oppikirja Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Historiassa

A historical account focused on Finnish literature written in the late 19th century. The work aims to serve as both a teaching tool and a reference guide for students, covering various epochs of Finnish literary development while highlighting the influence of Finnish culture and identity. At the start of the book, the author introduces the dual purpose of the text: to provide an overview of Finnish literature for educational settings and to incorporate broader insights into Finnish national identity and literature's role within it. The opening establishes that the book is organized into two main sections and explains that the main text is based on notes from a teaching institution in Helsinki. Godenhjelm emphasizes that the history of Finnish literature cannot be separated from the history of the Finnish people, advocating for the inclusion of works in languages other than Finnish when they significantly impacted national consciousness. This introductory portion sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the evolution and characteristics of Finnish literature, appealing to readers interested in cultural and literary history.