How does The Forest of the Hanged depict a Romanian soldier’s conflict during World War I?

In The Forest of the Hanged (1922), author Liviu Rebreanu explores the profound psychological and moral tragedy of a Romanian soldier during World War I.1

The novel depicts the internal conflict of a protagonist who is forced to serve in the Austro-Hungarian army, placing him in the agonizing position of having to fight against his own people. This struggle highlights the broader tension between individual identity and the overwhelming pressures of historical events. Ultimately, the soldier’s attempt to escape this impossible situation leads to his capture and execution by hanging, a fate inspired by the real-life experience of the author's brother.1