Beautiful Souls by Eyal Press, Chapter 2: Defying the Group

While continuing to focus on the courageous acts of individuals, Eyal Press takes up the question of group dynamics in his second chapter, “Defying the Group.” The setting of the main story of interest is the Balkans in the early 1990’s and the tensions and eventual bloodshed between Serbs and Croats of the former Yugoslavia. Press’ main character, Aco Jevtic, is a Serb caught in the midst of the terrible battle that waged over the city of Vukovar. We learn of Jevtic’s struggles in Vukovar only later, but first Press wants us to center our attention on Jevtic’s courageous and, for many puzzling, act to save Croats from torture and possible death. Jevtic finds himself among a large group of men captured by Serbian forces; and eventually a Serbian officer who recognizes Jevtic asks him to identify fellow Serbs among the prisoners so they may be removed. Jevtic complies with the officer’s request but does not stop pointing out men after all the Serbs have been identified, instead pointing toward men he knows are Croats but giving them false names in order to save them. Jevtic’s courageous actions save countless Croats, while at the same time placing himself in great danger should his actions become discovered. Why would Jevtic boldly take this course of action during dangerous times of ethnic violence? Continue reading →