Vaclav Havel As a Literary Figure in the Czech Republic

Václav Havel: A Character Shaped by the Iron Curtain


Throughout Eastern Europe and the world history and politics have infiltrated the lives of many individuals, especially writers. The influence which history and politics has on writers is usually reflected in their literary works. One example of a writer whose works reflect the influence which history and politics had upon him is Václav Havel, the former president of Czechoslovakia (1989-1992) and the Czech Republic (1993-2003). In the following essay I will illustrate how Havel’s life and literary works have been influence by the history and politics of his country, Czechoslovakia.
Biography
Václav Havel was born on October 5, 1936 in Prague, Czechoslovakia to a family to which owned a successful restaurant business. Unfortunately, in 1948 Havel’s family’s successful business was harshly affected by the Communist domination of Eastern Europe. Because of their successful business and acquired wealth, Ha...