Croatology, Vol. 10 No. 1, 2019.
Original scientific paper
Writing activity of Mara Matočec from 1945 to 1967
Vlatko Smiljanić
orcid.org/0000-0001-9835-0591
; Fakultet hrvatskih studija Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Borongajska cesta 83d, 10000 Zagreb
Abstract
The paper presents the interpretation, analysis and categorization of the unpublished records of Mara Matočec created after the Second World War until her death, when she did not act publicly because of her failure to support the communist regime in the country and its affiliation with the so-called „in the middle part“ of the Croatian Peasant Party. Attention is paid to their importance as historical sources important for Croatian political and cultural history, as well as to the methods and forms of folk education of the first half of the 20th century in the Croatian village. Some new insights relevant to the biography of Matočec, especially in ideologicalpolitical relations and positions, are brought. In addition to analysing her writings as sources, oral history was used as a method of historiographic research in the absence of a quality interpretation of written sources. Her themes are historically and politically current; it sees both social anomie and confusion in moral consciousness in World War I and World War II. That is why the motives of her records are mostly sad, tragic, warlike, suffering, and poverty, old age, loneliness and antagonism between town and country, youth and old age are the backbone of almost every piece. This is especially evident through the disruption of educational values - from changes in children’s games to neglect of parents and families. For her, the undeniable vertical is Christ, in whom he sees all the good of this world and recalls his teaching. When she contemplates spirituality and religiosity, she thus avoids thoughts from everyday suffering and finds peace and calm. The fidelity she promised to her missing husband also promised the Radić brothers’ science - she remained consistent and remembered and thought with great joy. For him, Stjepan Radić is “blessed” with his thoughts on tolerance, peacemaking and political appreciation of the heritage for the rest of his life. From the perspective of historical sources, the records bring us new insights: the relationship with Jalžabetić is presented in a completely different light from sources from periodicals, and some biographical elements such as the husband’s mobilization, the tragic death of her father and son, the communist nationalization of property, or the relationship with Đuro Basariček and Mihovil Pavlek Miškina further shed light on the importance of her role in the political and cultural circle of interwar Croatia. The fundamental values that we can read from the lines and poems represent, in general political matters, the doctrine of democratic agrarianism, anti-communism and anti-fascism; conservatism in religious and cultural matters of society and the family; In matters of civil and natural liberties, she takes a rather liberal stance, while looking at the emancipation and problematization of women’s suffrage primarily through educational motives: literacy, general education accessible to all, and gradual involvement in political life.
Keywords
Communism; Mara Matočec; folk education; peasant literature
Hrčak ID:
240647
URI
Publication date:
16.3.2020.
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