Ο χαρισματικός-ευφυής μαθητής στο πεζογραφικό έργο της Έλλης Αλεξίου

Abstract

Since the 20^th century, the conceptual definition of "giftedness" has been the subject of intense social and scientific debate. The invention of psychometric tests for the quantitative evaluation of human intelligence affected literature, a field always sensitive to societal processes. Literature became a space where various forms of human cognizance were presented, and among them, the highest form, that of exceptional intelligence. This study focuses on the representation of the gifted student in the works of interwar writer and teacher Elli Alexiou, following the method of qualitative content analysis. The gifted student΄s literary portrait is based on three themes: the description of their character, their relationships with other, peripheral "characters" (teachers, classmates, family), and the narrative΄s general setting. Gifted students are shown distinguishing themselves (intellectual aptitude, ability, talent) in one or more fields˙ the teachers play a leading role in "discovering" these exceptional traits, with the direct or indirect assistance of the classmates. Few parents react to the "otherness" of their children positively, instead countering with personal needs and values. The findings are inrerpreted in conjuction with the historical, social and ideological context of the era, as well as Alexiou΄s psychopedagogical views.