Socialist Realism and the Shaping of Albanian Prose in the 1980s

Abstract

Literature represents a comprehensive system of works that continuously evolves as new creations emerge. The decade under review constitutes a significant part of the mosaic of Albanian prose. The literary output of the 1980s deserves close analysis, as it reflects interconnected artistic profiles shaped by a series of historical and social developments. This period can be seen as a transitional bridge connecting prior literary movements with subsequent innovations that became more fully realized after the 1980s. The aim of this study is to assess the extent and quality of the influence exerted by the communist regime on literature during this decade, providing a clearer historical and literary understanding of prose from this era. In conclusion, while socialist realist literature featured both talented and less skilled authors, alternative literary voices were virtually absent due to the political constraints of the time. Talented writers occasionally resisted socialist realist orthodoxy at a structural level, yet semantic adherence to the ideological and political dictates of the regime remained unavoidable, reflecting the essence of socialist realism.