U potrazi za dokazom – identiteti i govorni činovi u "Prokletoj avliji" Ive Andrića

Abstract

This paper will present a reading of the novel Prokleta avlija (1954, eng. Devil’s Yard) by Ivo Andrić, which analyses the meaning of speech acts in the investigative process of pro­ving the guilt inside the localised space of a prison. The atten­tion is on the truth/lie dichotomy as the presumed starting point of the investigative procedure of proving innocence/guilt of the main character in the context of theory of speech acts (constative and performative according to the postulates of J. L. Austin). The narrative of greater history will be analysed, as well as its impor­tance in constructing the identity of the novel’s main character. The importance of space is already highlighted in the novel’s title, while the allegory of the procedure puts the relationship between an individual and the law to the foreground – Latifaga known as Karađoz symbolizes the law that does not care about justice, while Ćamil is presented as his antipode who considers the right to choose a basis of identity. Therefore, the novel Prokleta avlija and its cornerstone, the archetypal story of the conflict between two brothers, will be read through the relation between guilt and innocence, performative (the speech act of confession-proof) and constative (what is the truth in Ćamil’s case). The performative act of confession marks the end of the proceedings brought aga­inst every suspect, where the categories of truth and innocence are completely irrelevant. The spoken words of confession ini­tiate the activation of the penalty system, and using the example of Ćamil’s fate, Andrić deconstructs the question of truth and lie, innocence and guilt.