Empathy, Individuation and Emanicipation of the Lyrical Subject in a Poem "Na pravi put sam ti, majko, izišo" by Skender Kulenović

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the concept of intimate reflection and empathy, as well as a specific individuation and emacipation of a lyrical subject in a poem Na pravi put sam ti, majko, izišo by Skender Kulenović. Through a linguostilistic analysis and close reading, taking into account a contextual approach along with Kulenović’s autobiographical and autopoetic statements, the text will shed some light on the reasons why, despite apparently betraying mother’s expectations, a true individuation and emancipation, and therefore the right road for the lyrical subject becomes possible only through active social engagement and resistance, and a rejection of social patterns which reproduce exploatation and suffering. This reading will show how principles of solidarity, justice and equality become a specific categorical imperative and sine qua non of both freedom and humanity, opening a possibility of female emancipation, as well as a transformation of the very concept of love. Consistent and rounded linguistic expression of a poem enables its aesthetic and ethical sovereignity which is paradigmatic for this author. Moreover, certain poetic breakthroughs make this poem unique in a broader, South Slavic linguistic, literary, and cultural context of a given time period.