Slovene writers and WW I.

Abstract

The paper explores the attitude of Slovene writers toward WWI. The author tries to answer the question whether this war represented a “giant valve leaking the stench and the rottedness of the century,” (as some people, and also some of the writers, cited at the onset of war), or maybe something which brings “the greatest servitude ever known to the world.” Slovene intellectuals did not declare to be against the war as a matter of course. There was a small group whose opinion on this matter was decided and firm, but, on the other hand, there were also those who were influenced by the rather special circumstances, by the unresolved ideological disputes, etc. Their opinions also periodically wavered, which is hardly surprising since the period of war was the time of sudden political changes and uncertainty, all of which understandably influenced Slovene writers as well.