Ett verktyg i ideologins händer? En diskursanalys av Engelbrektgestaltens föränderliga bruk i det offentliga samtalet under 1920–2023

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the significance of Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson in the public discourse between 1920–2023, using newspapers as a representation of the public sphere. Thisperiod was chosen to capture a wide range of representations and uses of the Engelbrekt figure. The source material is divided into three distinct time periods to allow comparison across different historical contexts. Particular attention is given to how Engelbrekt is portrayed in relation to different ideological positions and forms of historical use. The study is grounded in the concept of historiebruk (use of history), focusing on Klas-Göran Karlsson’s ideological use and non-use of history. Benedict Anderson’s notion of imagined communities also functions as a reference point, providing a framework to understand how historical figures contribute to a collective identity. Methodologically, the thesis combines discourse analysis with a narrative and comparative text analysis, accompanied by a small quantitative presentation. The analysis reveals that Engelbrekts role in the public discourse has varied over time, where he has been shaped and reshaped according to prevailing ideologies. Overall, the study demonstrates a clear transformation in the ways historical references are employed in public discourse.