Oral tale motifs in the novel The Bridge on the Drina

Oral tales in Ivo Andrić’s novel The Bridge on the Drina serve as both narrative tools and didactic instruments, reflecting the traumatic history of Višegrad and its inhabitants. These tales—ranging from historical and mythical to demonological and eschatological—intertwine genres while preserving cultural meaning. Analyzed through historical, ethnological, and anthropological lenses, they reveal oral literature’s aesthetic and social functions, reinforcing collective memory amid conflict. The study highlights how these motifs shape the novel’s thematic depth, offering insights into the intersection of storytelling, history, and identity in a UNESCO-listed site.

Sunara, N. (2022). Motivski svijet usmenih predaja u romanu Na Drini Ćuprija. Nova Prisutnost, XX(1), 177–191. https://doi.org/10.31192/np.20.1.12