43 pages • 1 hour read
Ivo AndricThe Bridge on the Drina
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1945A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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The novel depicts the rise of nationalism and its effect on the small town of Višegrad. How does the novel begin to introduce the themes of nationalism, and how does nationalism take hold?
As well as the Turks and the Serbians, Višegrad is also home to Jews and Gipsies. How are these communities portrayed in relation to the more populous and powerful demographics?
The titular bridge becomes a symbol of the link between the east and the west. How does this symbol evolve over the course of the text? Is the symbolic meaning the same at the beginning as the end?
The mine placed within the bridge provides a constant threat. What is the metaphorical meaning of this military tactic, and how does it affect the townspeople?
Alihodja loudly warns against the slow modernization of Višegrad. Are his warnings heeded, and to what extent do you believe that he is proved right (if at all)?
Amid the fighting and the wars, there are frequent depictions of a strong and vibrant community in Višegrad. To what extent is this community able to overcome racial and religious divides?
The novel portrays many characters who speak many languages. How does the use of various languages affect and echo the depiction of the themes of the novel?
The tension in Višegrad is one between external and internal, with outside forces instituting changes in the town, often against the will of the residents. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Not only are the various communities separated along cultural and national lines, but also along religious lines. How does the practice of religion affect life in Višegrad?
