Commentary on the first 3 chapters of Broken April by Ismail Kadare

by lopsi1 (student)

International Baccalaureate World Literature

Broken April by Ismail Kadare

In the novel “Broken April“ the author has used descriptions of natural landscapes to set the mood in a lot of the books’ scenes. By using different viewpoints of different characters, the scenery will also change depending on their emotional state.

Already in the first chapter we are introduced to the unique geographical descriptions of the work that Kadare has used to set the sympathetic background to the actions and the feelings of the main character, Gjorg. A good example of this can be found on page 7, where the “desolate” grating of the pebbles is transferred to “the sense of desolation” inside him. Another description of landscape that is constantly mentioned throughout the book is the snow and wild pomegranates. We get the sense that they are personified as silent watchers and “motionless witnesses”, constantly waiting to see what Gjorg might do.

This is a preview of the whole essay

In chapter two Kadare uses the landscape to give the readers not only a sense of place, but also as a symbol that contributes to the atmosphere of isolation that is evoked in the chapter. Gjorg sees the scenery as “nameless waste lands” which are “naked and dreary”, and even describes the large mountains of the plateau as “a single mountain” without any other form of description (pg.25). This gives the readers a sense of isolation from the outside world and it continues throughout the chapter, only to be momentarily interrupted by the occasional mountaineers passing by. All these descriptions of the scenery in this chapter contribute to reinforcing the idea that there is no way of escaping the Kanun and further more affects the readers empathy towards Gjorg and his situation. An unexpected contrast with the current setting appears when “…a single plane was flying slowly among the clouds.” (Pg. 35) the airplane that Gjorg encounters on his journey towards the castle of Orosh is anachronistic in the sense that it does not fit with the description of the scenery or setting in this chapter.

Kadare puts the readers through different emotional states, as he uses different characters that stand with different viewpoints to tell the story of Gjorg and the Kanun. By doing this the readers will also see the scenery in a complete contrast to the way it was described by Gjorg. In chapter three the readers are being told the story through the eyes of Diana and Bessian, to newlyweds on their honeymoon in the high plateau. Because of their current situation, having just gotten married and are looking forward to spending time in the mountains, the landscape and scenery will be portrayed in a more mystical and curious manner. The visual imagery continues to compliment the culture and tradition within the area. The thematic idea of desolation and fate is perceived as Diana and Bessian are in “a border region, barren and almost uninhabited…the Accursed Mountains” (62).

Wordcount: 480

Sources: “Broken April”, by Ismail Kadare.