Abstract
<jats:p>The subject of this research is the hero’s ordeal in the prose of Bora Stanković. The concept of „it is written“ comes from the prevailing oriental-Islamic atmosphere in Vranje in Stanković’s time. Behavior that involves resignation to one’s fate, abstinence, enduring pain and suffering was an integral part of the life of Orthodox people known as the Islamic proverb „maktub“, which translated into Serbian means „it is written“. Aware of the power of the patriarchal community, heroes believe in the eternal and the immutability of its laws. In order to make the agony of life easier to endure, everyone alludes to the „written“. In the introductory part, according to statements by Louis Althusser, Judith Butler, Klaus Roth as well as local researchers, a short overview of the Balkan patriarchal cultural framework and the position of individuals within the community is given. In the central part, an interpretation of characters from short stories In the Night, the Wife of the Departed, Wilted Rose, Stanoja, The Old Days and the novel Gazda Mladen explore the destructive outcomes of the power of the community that is the cause of the hero’s individual tragedy. By referring to the similarities and differences in the final resolution at the end of the story, we conclude that all heroes have in common an emotional, instinctive, impulsive, silent conflict with the community and reconciliation with defeat. The aim of the research is to deepen the interpretation of the artistic image of the destructive effects of the power of community and indicate the author’s artistic procedure by considering examples of fallen heroes.</jats:p>