Hajduk Stanko

The story begins in a peaceful rural setting, but the idyll is spoiled by Lazar's jealousy and intrigues against Stanko. After being falsely accused and unjustly punished, Stanko runs away into the forest and becomes a terror to the Turks, as well as to those who have wronged him. The novel culminates in dramatic battles for liberation, during which Stanko grows into a national symbol of resistance. Key themes are the struggle for justice and revenge, a love triangle, and resistance against Turkish rule during the Mačva uprising. The novel is imbued with strong patriotism, an epic atmosphere, and the idealization of heroism.