Broken April, a novel by Ismail Kadare, delves into the complexities of the Kanun, a
code of honor and blood vengeance in Albania. The novel portrays the story of Gjorg
Berisha, a young man who is forced to avenge a death in order to escape a curse that will
lead to his own death. The author uses the novel to explore the theme of violence and
the destructive nature of the Kanun.
Kadare captures the essence of the Kanun in the following quote: "The Kanun is a living
creature, and it kills. It has the power of life and death, it can make or break people, and
it never dies. It is like a snake that never grows old, and its venom is still potent"
(Kadare, 15). The Kanun is portrayed as a force that controls the people of Albania, and
the people are powerless to escape its grasp. The Kanun is deeply ingrained in Albanian
culture and it is difficult to escape its influence.
The novel highlights the destructive nature of the Kanun, as it leads to an endless cycle
of violence. Kadare states, "It was the blood that was all-important, and once it had
started to flow, it could not be stopped" (Kadare, 29). The Kanun does not allow for
forgiveness or mercy, and it promotes a culture of revenge. The novel depicts the tragic
consequences of this culture, as Gjorg and his family are caught up in a never-ending
cycle of blood vengeance.
Kadare uses the character of Bessian Vorpsi, a government official, to highlight the
clash between traditional Albanian culture and the modern world. Bessian, who
represents the modern world, is in conflict with the traditional values of the Kanun. He
states, "The world changes, but the Kanun remains the same. It's a living fossil, a
throwback to another age" (Kadare, 138). Bessian's struggle to reconcile the two worlds
highlights the challenges that Albania faces in moving towards a more modern and
progressive society.
In conclusion, Broken April is a powerful novel that explores the destructive nature of
the Kanun and the impact it has on the people of Albania. The novel highlights the need
code of honor and blood vengeance in Albania. The novel portrays the story of Gjorg
Berisha, a young man who is forced to avenge a death in order to escape a curse that will
lead to his own death. The author uses the novel to explore the theme of violence and
the destructive nature of the Kanun.
Kadare captures the essence of the Kanun in the following quote: "The Kanun is a living
creature, and it kills. It has the power of life and death, it can make or break people, and
it never dies. It is like a snake that never grows old, and its venom is still potent"
(Kadare, 15). The Kanun is portrayed as a force that controls the people of Albania, and
the people are powerless to escape its grasp. The Kanun is deeply ingrained in Albanian
culture and it is difficult to escape its influence.
The novel highlights the destructive nature of the Kanun, as it leads to an endless cycle
of violence. Kadare states, "It was the blood that was all-important, and once it had
started to flow, it could not be stopped" (Kadare, 29). The Kanun does not allow for
forgiveness or mercy, and it promotes a culture of revenge. The novel depicts the tragic
consequences of this culture, as Gjorg and his family are caught up in a never-ending
cycle of blood vengeance.
Kadare uses the character of Bessian Vorpsi, a government official, to highlight the
clash between traditional Albanian culture and the modern world. Bessian, who
represents the modern world, is in conflict with the traditional values of the Kanun. He
states, "The world changes, but the Kanun remains the same. It's a living fossil, a
throwback to another age" (Kadare, 138). Bessian's struggle to reconcile the two worlds
highlights the challenges that Albania faces in moving towards a more modern and
progressive society.
In conclusion, Broken April is a powerful novel that explores the destructive nature of
the Kanun and the impact it has on the people of Albania. The novel highlights the need
