The authoress points out principial characteristics of melodrama, using the example of Ireudenreich's "Bordermen", basing her observations on S. D. Baluhati's theoretical insights. Besides, the argumentation leads to the conclusion that Josip Freudenreich abandoned the basic type of melodrama and transformed it into a new theatrical genre, innovatively in Crotaian literature. "Bordermen" is undoubtedly our first and best folk drama, outstanding in its genre.