Representations of Being-in-the-world and Authenticity in Balkan Literature

This research applies Heidegger's concepts of being-in-the-world and authenticity to analyze identity in three novels from Balkan literature: The Bridge over the Drina by Ivo Andrić, The Fortress by Meša Selimović, and The Navel of the World by Venko Andonovski. This dissertation primarily examines the ways in which both collectives and individuals relate and define themselves with regard to one another. Each novel presents its own picture of the structure of society and its relation to the world in terms of space, place or public involvement. This research also takes into consideration how, and to what extent, historical context has influenced the authors in writing their works. It also explores to which extent and in which ways their works reflect on the Balkans or specific parts of it, and the universal conditions of human existence. Furthermore, it extracts themes and elements prevalent in the respective novels to suggest common characteristics in Balkan literature