(Re)writing one's life or constructing a representation of the female empowerment? : notes on autobiographical narrative in the novel The Stone on the Road by Marija Jurić Zagorka
Abstract
We aim to explain use of autobiographical narrative in the novel The Stone on the Road by Croatian professional author Marija Jurić Zagorka. Her works were formerly described as dilettantish and intellectually inferior.
In the novel "The Stone on the Road" she shifts towards semi-realistic narration based on depicting "hers" life, focusing mainly on problem of "female education", inferior placement of women in marriage and unacceptability of being active in public sphere. As novel focuses mainly on problem of gender in society and culture in depicting heroine that's activities are considered deviation from the norm, heroine is not considered equal, even though morally and intellectually superior to her male counterparts.
Novel itself in many aspects it sill reflects conservative bipolar typology of female characters and realistic narration strategies.