Abstract
Within Croatian culture Jagoda Truhelka's work is usually interpreted within croato-centric narrative for children and young ladies with understandable qualities and literal meaning. Author is valued for her didactic works yet her poetic coherence and subversive principles on conservative worldview in her work are often marginalized.
Drawing on feminist thoughts the novel Plein Air (1897) evokes shifts in perspective on societal changes and understanding of gender roles that could be considered as a paradoxical dialogue between radical and pro-patriarchal feminism. Enabling political meaning as novel displays a wide range of opinions via perspective of male narrator that re-evaluates his conservative worldview and understanding of gender roles through the dialogue with intriguing female artist.
We will note ambiguous modernity of hero's beliefs and criticism of hypocrisy of societal norms in patriarchal society. Even though the understanding of gender issues will be the focus of the article, we will also discuss the motif of a female artist and attempt to trace intertwined aesthetic impressionism and symbolism in the novel.