Izvorni znanstveni članak
From the destruction of identity to absurdity in the prose of Mlakić and Dežulović
Nebojša Lujanović
; Filozofski fakultet u Splitu
Sažetak
A theoretical paradigm which dominates in the temporary literal theory and defines it as
heterogeneous and variable construction, can be applied on the two novels of Croatian writers:
Kad magle stanu Josipa Mlakica, and Jebo sad hiljadu dinara Borisa Dezulovica. An introduction
in that kind of paradigm is Benedict Anderson and his work about the group identity of the nation.
His statement about nation as imagined community which is the product of a certain time and
space leads to state which dominates in the poststructuralism – identities are contemporary
constructions full of contradictions. That kind of analyses doesn’t annul identity, but revolves it on
different way giving new answers.
Usually identity, with support of ideology, tries to cover up any trace of instability, generate
projection of unity of his form and projection of itself as coherent and homogeneous whole. Despite
conflicted discoursive forms which can be perceived and which make identity a sphere of constant
turmoil. That’s how the problem of illusive harmony spreads over hole culture which, according to
Terry Eagleton, is in the permanent state of crisis (culture and crises are always together, like Stanio
and Olio, says he). Introducing The Other as opposed to given identity is one way to overcome that
internal chaos. Identity is always (according to Jacques Derrida, Stuart Hall and Homi Bhabha)
constructed through system of differences against The Other who, paradoxically, does not only
represent opposition or backing instrument of identity, but also part of the same identity.
In the novels which are analyzed in this paper, there can be found antagonism between
identity and The Other as neighboring, but opposed, identity. That juxtaposition is situated in the
context of Croatian-Muslim war in the nineties and presented by cultural stereotypes which have a
significant role in cultural confrontations. However, identities set in that way are only the starting
point of those novels. Mlakic and Dezulovic try to construct identity with elements of everyday life
and popular culture. Those elements should replace settled elements of identity such as religious
and ethnic determination. Their characters are defined and connected by accidental choice of
practice in the sphere of popular culture (like football team or movie), and because of that it’s
more possible to achieve getting closer between identities. Identity as result of accidental, not
essence, is shown in the Richard Rorty’s theory of contingency which says that identities are the
result of numerous mutations which are accidentally and temporary set at one point.
Another key element which these authors use in their attempt to construct other identity is
the experience of space as bearer of tragedy. Shifting responsibility from the opposite Other to
space in one of the author’s way to annul (ethnical different) The Other. Because of that practice,
identity loose its support, and destruction which was turned against The Other is now turning
against its own, essentially understood, identity. Getting closer of Muslim and Croatian identity is
going on parallel with the attempt to deconstruct the traditional form of Muslim or Croatian identity
(identity based on the stabile elements of nation, religion and ethnicity). In their novels, Mlakic and
Dezulovic realize the same that attempt realize in different ways. In the novel Kad magle stanu,
Josip Mlakic illustrate the main character who, in the middle of Muslim-Croatian war, chase the man from his own unit because he set him fraud and make him kill his innocent muslim friend. In
the novel Jebo sad hiljadu dinara, Boris Dezulovic illustrate Croatian and Muslim group of soldiers;
each one is disguised in the uniform of the opposite army and the soldiers are mixed in the weird
comedy of confusion.
Absurdity is the product of that kind attempt of deconstruction. It tries to uncover the so
called fake stability of identity mocking up its political, military, religious and ethnical elements,
playing with them and diminishing their validity. Those elements can be emblems on uniforms,
religious iconography or symbols of dominant national-political ideology. After the attempt of
deconstruction of those elements in the essential projection of identity, the authors are trying to
construct new identity which can be described by Stuart Hall’s words – temporary fixity. Though,
the main question remains: from which point of view is absurdity evident? It seems that this point
is identity, essentially understood, as stable category. Terry Eagleton sees this bringing back to
essentialism as a sign of the end of the postmodern era.
Ključne riječi
postmodernism; the construction of identity; imagined community; crisis of culture; the other; contingency theory; popular culture; space; absurdity; essentialism
Hrčak ID:
86324
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.12.2010.
Posjeta: 1.804 *