Abstract

The paper analyses particular essays and short stories written by Josip Novakovich, dealing with identity construction in the context of migration of individuals causedby the war. Since the concept of migration is closely tied to issues such as assimilation perspective and cultural bereavement, identity formation is considered as fluid, dynamic, vibrant and hybrid. Novakovich’s characters show great variety in adapting to new places and cultures and the feelings of loneliness, nostalgia and suppressed memories play an important role in their embracing the new way of life in diaspora. The analysis of main characters in short stories “Spleen” and “Hats and Veils” show that richness of diversities in multicultural and globalized societies can help an individual integrate into the society, but at the same time, they can also emphasize vulnerability of an individual.