Ideological implications of 'Traces' by Vukasin Filipovic

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to highlight the devastating impact of totalitarian regimes on artistic creativity. Novel 'Traces' is reviewed in the context of the post World War II period of communist revolutionary inspiration in former Yugoslavia. Novel, embraced as the most suitable literary form, was completely in the service of the system. Tendentious ideological implications of 'Traces' overshadowed the layers of authentic testimonies about life in Kosovo plain in the novel. Despite the undoubted influence of revolutionary and ideological motivation, it is noted that the author attempts to overcome this influence to some extent.

Keywords

• totalitarianism
• postwar novel
• ideology
• national identity
• self censorship