Social realism is the prevailing literary style that started in the 1930s and persisted until the 1950s. While realism maintains a critical point of view of society, social realism focuses on the depiction of the country life, fight against social injustice and hope of a better (socialist) future. The works often follow families living in the countryside and their struggle for survival. The children frequently clash with older generations and represent the values of socialism or at least a different future. Author France Bevk puts children on the forefront as the bearers of the national idea. His works are often written from the idyllic perspective of a child and the youngest protagonists are independent, heroic but also impulsive. They are the supporters of socialist ideas, fully aware of social injustices and ashamed of their own poverty. There are many similarities between Voranc and his contemporary, Miško Kranjec, but Kranjec paints the children as the embodiment of beauty, aesthetics and nature, but also the victims of the awful conditions. Kosmač managed to carefully illustrate the world of mentally challenged adolescents and their struggle of growing up. Ingolič portrays a child as an outstanding individual, capable of overcoming any obstacle. Potrč tackles topics connected to social problems of children, mainly focusing on violent upbringing, domestic violence and the stigma surrounding single mothers. Childhood is and idyllic safe haven, but it is sadly not eternal and is often abruptly ended by the cruel reality of the outside world. Children in drama are often left on the sidelines. In poetry they are depicted as innocent creatures strongly connected to nature or as victims of cruel social conditions.
|
