Bullying in literature in the context of cognitive science

This diploma thesis aims to describe the means by which literature can influence the reader's thinking so that he feels empathy, and to find out how these means are used in literature on the topic of bullying. The work includes scientific findings based on cognitive science connected with findings from literary studies in order to find ways and means by which artistic texts affect the reader's thinking. It includes a theoretical description of the reading process in the brain and its influence on thinking, it also deals with empathy, with special attention paid to narrative empathy. Attention is also paid to the topic of bullying, its characteristics and connection with literature and literary education, the connection between bullying and empathy was also described. In the context of narrative empathy, narrative means (narrator, perspective, character, time of narration) are also viewed, and the possible influence of the use of these means on the reader is also outlined. The thesis analyses the narrative devices used in three artistic texts with the theme of bullying, both in books for children and for adult readers, and summarises the similarities and differences found. Connections were found in the narrative devices used, the potential impact of which on the reader's experiences was supported by...