Homosexuality and Gender Identity in Contemporary Croatian Drama Cover Image

Homoseksualnost i rodni identitet u suvremenoj hrvatskoj drami
Homosexuality and Gender Identity in Contemporary Croatian Drama

Author(s): Gabrijela Bionda
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Croatian Literature, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: contemporary Croatian drama; homosexuality; gender identity
Summary/Abstract: Homosexuality and gender identity issues, although lately often thematized, are still marginalized in Croatian society. Nonetheless, these topics occur as key concepts within which dramatic conflicts and characters are evolving. The two plays which will be analyzed were awarded with Marin Držić award for the best drama text and were staged in two Croatian theaters – ZKM and Kerempuh. The interpersonal relationships within one family and people close to the family members are on display in Tomislav Zajec’s play Ono što nedostaje. The main focus is on the sixteen-year-old David, who, appart from finding a way to communicate with his parents, has to struggle with his sexuality and the desire to be accepted and loved. In terms of speech and physical act his inner struggle is the greatest dramatic conflict and resolution at the same time, so his homosexuality is not in the focus of the play. The second play Ja od jutra nisam stao by Una Vizek addresses the issue of gender identity in today’s society. The author of the play attributes female characteristics to men by taking into account social prejudices and expectations. Each character is indicated with a number and their replica exchange is the usual form of a female chatter. The aim of this research is to show which strategies are used by authors to show the marginalization of the mentioned social groups, how characters are starting a conversation or losing the right to speak but also how they are entering into a dramatic conflict.

  • Page Range: 130-144
  • Page Count: 15
  • Publication Year: 2021
  • Language: Croatian