In the 19th century, intellectuals have more than just a decorative role in society. They seek answers to how a people develops into a nation and explore early modern philosophy in its tendency to separate open-minded individuals from the values of the catholic church. Ivan Tavčar, one of the writers of Slovenian literary canon, started writing in the second half of this century. It is hard to classify him as an intellectual; however, he was a very important member of society of his time. As a very wilful politician, he started the attacks on members of the clerical camp, known as “farške gonje” that were one of the causes for a great divide between the intellectuals of that time. Early on, his literature is marked by romanticism that is, in the later stage of his career, partially replaced by social engagement.
4000 is a critique of Slovenian clerical politics, based on the dispute between Anton Mahnič and Ivan Tavčar that the latter transferred into his literary work. The tale draws from reality and Mahnič’s works. The form of satire enables a tangible demonstration of the faults of the clerical camp in the 19th century through the prism of the distant future. Mahnič is depicted as Anton od Kala, whose works are responsible for the bizarre social structure of the year 4000. Tavčar, the narrator, observes this society and tries to understand it, but he doesn’t try to revive the Slovenian national identity. In the year 4000, the intellectual is oppressed and reduced to silence and obedience by the government, with every action that deviates from the strict rules leading to a death sentence.
A people that he could lead to national awakening is virtually nonexistent, because the roots of Slovenian identity are destroyed.
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