A critical study of Ismail Kadare, with special reference to the interplay of tradition and modernity in selected novels

Abstract

One of the most distinguished Albanian writers, Ismail Kadare survived as a writer in Albania under the strict socialist regime. He now lives and writes in Paris. This study offers a critical view of tradition and modernity in two of his novels, The General of the Dead Army and Doruntine. It tries to see what features of these novels make them representative Albanian narratives and to what extent they reconcile tradition arid modernity. The study endeavours to provide an assessment of the characters and themes in Ismail Kadares novels, with a special reference to the treatment of characters. It off~rs a discussion of resistance and survival as central themes in Kadares novels with special references to The General of the Dead Army. The study sees the relationship between folklore and literature particularly in Doruntine and The General of the Dead Army. Kadares novels can be differentiated from their subjects and the ways of realizing them. The study considers the authors use of fantasy, imagination, dramatic and tragic elements, and other means of expression. It has also a treatment of the main concepts in Doruntine in the light of Islamic concepts.