Smetana saw this as an opportunity to write and stage opera that would reflect Czech national character, similar to the portrayals of Russian life in Mikhail Glinka's operas.
Smetana så dette som en mulighed for at skrive operaer, der skulle afspejle den tjekkiske nationalkarakter, ligesom Mikhail Glinka havde portrætteret det russiske liv i sine operaer.