Main character of the novel is Acim Katic, a prominent member of the People's Radical Party and an informal chieftain of the village Prerovo.
And old, stubborn, conservative man, he is obsessed with politics, personal principles and with prolonging his family's existence.
He was educated in best schools of France, which taught him modern ideas of strong centralized government, anti-traditionalism and individualism.
With a mixed feeling of disdain and admiration towards his people, he enters the politics on the opposite side of his father.
Dimwitted, simple and content with his very modest life, having four children but no money he is the polar opposite of Vukasin in nearly every way.