The Individual-Community Conflict as Illustrated in Când ne vom întoarce by Radu Mareș Cover Image

Conflictul individ-comunitate ilustrat în Când ne vom întoarce de Radu Mareș
The Individual-Community Conflict as Illustrated in Când ne vom întoarce by Radu Mareș

Author(s): Ioana-Lacramioara Pelea
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Romanian Literature
Published by: UNIVERSITATEA »ȘTEFAN CEL MARE« SUCEAVA
Keywords: Radu Mareș; conflict; Bucovina; community; Gavril M.;

Summary/Abstract: This literary analysis aims to portray how individual experiences are inevitably lost in the grand scheme of history. In Când ne vom întoarce by Radu Mareș, the conflict between the individual and the community is intricately explored through the experience of Gavril M., a young Romanian agronomist trying to assert himself in a diverse, ethnically complex Bucovinian community. This struggle unfolds across multiple levels: ethnic prejudice, the legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the rise of nationalist movements. This protagonist faces skepticism and resistance from the local population, who question his capabilities due to his background. His idealism and desire for change clash with an entrenched mindset, embodied by figures like Onofrei, a character who represents outdated imperial values. Through this nuanced portrayal, the novel examines the limitations of individual agency in the face of powerful historical and social forces, shedding light on the challenges of transforming a society steeped in prejudice and division. Mareș uses this conflict to propel the narrative, turning Gavril’s journey into a reflection on the complex interplay between personal ambition and collective identity.

  • Issue Year: XLVI/2025
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 351-358
  • Page Count: 7
  • Language: Romanian
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