Ivo Andrich is the first Balkan writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. His works are set against a grand historical backdrop and use a chronicle style realistic approach to depict the historical fate of different classes, beliefs, and ethnic figures in the Balkan region, especially the experiences of the lower classes. Mistress Mara "is a novel written in 1926, which reflects the lowly status and unfortunate experiences of women in the patriarchal society of the Balkans in the 19th century through the tragic lives of Mara and other female characters. This article applies Murvi's theory of male gaze to analyze the social roots of the tragic lives of female characters in "Mistress Mara" and reveal the psychological mechanism of male gaze oppressing women in the patriarchal society of the Balkans. Mulvey believes that male gaze is closely related to patriarchy, and his theory is not only applicable to film studies, but also provides a new perspective for feminist interpretation of literary works. By combining the perspectives of scholars such as Lacan, Sartre, Foucault, and Simone de Beauvoir, we can comprehensively interpret Andrich's works and delve deeper into his exploration of women's issues. The male gaze in "Mistress Mara" can be divided into two types: one is the direct infringement of women by male perpetrators, manifested in psychological and physiological possession and violence; The second is the gaze of those around them towards the victimized women, including both males and females, which is the foundation of the existence of patriarchy and is systematic and destructive. Andrich's realistic writing style reveals the operation of male gaze in patriarchal society, inspiring readers to reflect on and break the ideology of male gaze, in order to establish a fair and just society.

The perpetrator's gaze towards women

Through the story background of the Balkan region in the 19th century, this article delves into the persecution of women's physical and mental health by male gaze. The concept of male gaze proposed by Muravi is widely present in Bosnian society, manifested in the oppression of female characters such as Mara, her cousin, Yela, and Neyma. Psychological and physiological violence, such as Willie Basha's possession and control over Mara, as well as her cousin's sexual assault and tragic ending, reveal the subordinate status of women in patriarchal society. The novel showcases how men, through their social status, physical advantage, or violent means, view women as objects of satisfying desires and dispose of them arbitrarily through the experiences of these characters. At the same time, the chapter cites the views of scholars such as Hertel, Murvi, Simone de Beauvoir, and Ž uni ć, emphasizing the manifestation of male gaze in films, gender relations, and social law, as well as its profound impact on women.

The gaze of people around women

An in-depth analysis was conducted on the gaze of those around Balkan women in the patriarchal society of the 19th century, which not only came from men but also from women who exerted pressure and exclusion on them through their words and actions. Lacan's gaze theory is used to explain how women internalize male values in order to adapt to the social environment. Mulvey's gender binary perspective has been revised, pointing out that female audiences swing between male and female encoding, and women can also participate in male gaze. Feminist theory emphasizes that women are enemies of each other, which is the essence of patriarchal oppression. In the novel "Mistress Mara", Mara suffers from contempt and rejection from those around her due to becoming Basha's mistress, leading to her mental breakdown. The gaze of those around them is punitive and disciplinary, causing women to constantly regulate their words and actions, internalizing the value norms of patriarchy. Foucault's circular prison theory is used to explain the social situation of women, who are always the objects of surveillance. Mara and other female characters understand their own image through the eyes of others and live in the discipline of others. Simone de Beauvoir explored the reasons why women do not unite to oppose male oppression, pointing out that women are dependent on men and establish stronger relationships with them through housing, household chores, economic status, and social status. Male gaze is the gender oppression of women by men, reflecting the values of patriarchal society. Andrich's literary works expose the issue of male gaze in the patriarchal society of the Balkans, echoing Murvi's deconstruction of male gaze. Reviewing Andrich's works can help identify the root causes of women's oppression and promote the development of society towards a more humane and healthy direction.