The Literary Prose of Ernest Koliqi

Abstract

This paper analyzes and interprets the prose of Ernest Koliqi including his short story collections Hija e maleve (“The Shadow of the Mountains”, 1929), published in Zadar; Pasqyrat e Narçizit (“The Mirrors of Narcissus”, 1934), published in Bari and Rome; Tregtar flamujsh (“Flag Merchant”, 1935), published in Tirana; and the novel Shija e bukës së mbrume (“The Taste of Leavened Bread”, 1960), published in Rome. Pasqyrat e Narçizit/“The Mirrors of Narcissus” (1934) is written in a style between poetry and prose. In Hija e maleve/“The Shadow of the Mountains” (1929), the author remains truthful about Albanian traditions. The theme of this collection portrays the main elements of the Albanian way of living and their mentality. The central aspect of Koliqi’s works deals with the drama of the homeland, the struggles of the Albanian intellectuals in general and those of Shkodër in particular. Most stories present cohabitation with mythological creatures; however, there is also Tregtar flamujsh/“Flag Merchant” (1935) which shows modern symbolism with an element of psychoanalysis. In Shija e bukës së mbrume/“The Taste of Leavened Bread” (1960) Koliqi writes about life, the struggles, and the atmosphere of Albanian life. This novel is filled with patriotic, social, and moral values of the Albanian people, even though the main character of the story lives in Albania and abroad. Ernest Koliqi’s characters are typical Albanian people, and the spirit of his works is also of the typical Albanian spirit.