A.G.M., modernism and a city: reflecting identity and space in travel narratives of Antun Gustav Matoš
Abstract
As the me narratives related to the constructing identity in the short stories of Antun Gustav Matoš works were considered innovative and ground breaking in the Croatian modernist literature the main focus of the presentation will focus on these narratives and the use of spatial metaphor. A.
G. M. is considered to be "the founding father" of Croatian modernist literature and the champion of the cult of urbanism and metropolism (Paris, Vienna and Rome as well as newly modern cities of Zagreb and Belgrade) in Croatian literature as he was the person that largely influenced the upcoming generation of young authors in South-Slavonic Austro-Hungarian region.
His depiction of urban landscapes and environment presents aestheticized insight into space and identity of an emblematic Flâneur observer. As Matoš aimed for innovative poetics that opposes traditionalist "national" realism we will focus on his understanding of spatiality in relation to the categories of orient and periphery.
Therefore, the main focus will be on intertwined symbolist and impressionist discourse in relation to the ones identity in urban space, especially experiencing the inadequacy of periphery.