The title "" (My Only Love) most prominently refers to the 1931 novella Tonkina jedina ljubav by the Croatian writer August Cesarec . This work is a cornerstone of Croatian social realism and expressionism, focusing on the tragic life of a disabled woman in a small town.
Tonkina jedina ljubav is more than a tragic romance; it is a clinical yet empathetic study of social marginalization. Through Tonka, Cesarec highlights the tension between the individual's need for "external love" and the suffocating pressure of a judgmental society. jedina_ljubav
: Careva kraljevina (1925), Zlatni mladić i njegove žrtve (1927), and Bjegunci (1933). The title "" (My Only Love) most prominently
August Cesarec was a central figure in the Yugoslav socialist movement and a prolific author of novels, short stories, and political essays. His life and work were deeply intertwined with the political upheavals of his time, eventually leading to his execution by the Ustaše regime in 1941. Through Tonka, Cesarec highlights the tension between the
Below is an academic-style paper outlining the literary significance, historical context, and thematic depth of this work.
: Despite being categorized as social realism, the work retains strong expressionist influences. It delves into the "fragmented consciousness" typical of the 1910–1930 avant-garde period, focusing on Tonka’s subjective experience and mental suffering.