“Against oneself (and others) create oneself from awry”. On one letter of Witkacy to his wife Cover Image

„Na przekór sobie (i innym) stworzyć siebie z boku”. O jednym liście Witkacego do żony
“Against oneself (and others) create oneself from awry”. On one letter of Witkacy to his wife

Author(s): Olga Szmidt
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Instytut Badań Literackich Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz; Epistolography; Polish literature 20c.

Summary/Abstract: The article comprises some theoretical reflections on the epistolography as well as an interpretation of one of Witkacy’s letters to his wife. The author draws especially on the research dealing with the epistolographic subject as well as the materiality of the personal document (especially pertinent in this context is the work of Paweł Rodak). The concept of subjectivity emerging from this letter as well as a specific personal and interpersonal situation accompanying its coming into being, lead the author to refer to the category of self-creation, self-reflection, confession and authenticity. The constellation of issues emerging from this interpretation situates the reader in a specific position – the subjectivity is constructed by both the letter’s author and its recipients (the addressee and a reader).

  • Issue Year: 2012
  • Issue No: 5
  • Page Range: 224-240
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Polish