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This scholarly monograph by Jasna Šego explores how women were depicted in Croatian literature from antiquity through the 20th century, examining the forces of patriarchal society that shaped — and often punished — female ambition, curiosity, and independence.
Published by the Croatian Studies Foundation (Sydney, Australia, 2026), the book opens with a broad survey of women's status in ancient Greek, Roman, and Biblical cultures before turning to the rich and complex story of women in Croatian literary and cultural history from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, Baroque, and 19th century to the modern era.
At its heart, the monograph analyses two groups of female characters drawn from canonical Croatian literature. The first group including Šenoa's Branka, Truhelka's Zdenka, and Vrkljan's Irena are women rewarded for their courage, patriotism, perseverance, and self-awareness. The second group Novak's Lucija Stipančić, Tomić's Melita, and Šimunović's Srna are women punished, often fatally, for defying the norms of the patriarchal order.
By placing these literary figures within their historical and cultural contexts, the book invites readers to think critically about why some women were permitted to flourish while others were condemned, and what this reveals about the structures of power and gender in Croatian society and literature.
Translated and edited by Luka Budak, Retired Senior Lecturer, Croatian Studies Centre, Macquarie University
ISBN: 978-0-6482310-0-4
This scholarly monograph by Jasna Šego explores how women were depicted in Croatian literature from antiquity through the 20th century, examining the forces of patriarchal society that shaped — and often punished — female ambition, curiosity, and independence.
Published by the Croatian Studies Foundation (Sydney, Australia, 2026), the book opens with a broad survey of women's status in ancient Greek, Roman, and Biblical cultures before turning to the rich and complex story of women in Croatian literary and cultural history from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, Baroque, and 19th century to the modern era.
At its heart, the monograph analyses two groups of female characters drawn from canonical Croatian literature. The first group including Šenoa's Branka, Truhelka's Zdenka, and Vrkljan's Irena are women rewarded for their courage, patriotism, perseverance, and self-awareness. The second group Novak's Lucija Stipančić, Tomić's Melita, and Šimunović's Srna are women punished, often fatally, for defying the norms of the patriarchal order.
By placing these literary figures within their historical and cultural contexts, the book invites readers to think critically about why some women were permitted to flourish while others were condemned, and what this reveals about the structures of power and gender in Croatian society and literature.
Translated and edited by Luka Budak, Retired Senior Lecturer, Croatian Studies Centre, Macquarie University
ISBN: 978-0-6482310-0-4