Stanisława Barańczaka dialog chirurga i demiurga
A dialogue between a surgeon and a demiurge in Stanisław Barańczak

Summary/Abstract: The dialogue between a surgeon and a demiurge, the main characters making their appearance in Stanisław Barańczak’s poetry volume Chirurgiczna precyzja. Wiersze i piosenki z lat 1995–1997 [‘Surgical precision. Poems and poems, 1995–1997’], concerns the role of poetry and the role of the poet. The dispute between the two figures covers the major issues: Language, Death, Freedom, Love. In Barańczak’s view, poetry is a means of communicating with three message recipients: the World, Transcendence, and Others. However, this artistic message is often distorted – and hence, the aporetic dialogue of the surgeon and the demiurge reminds us of unsolvable contradictions ruling the reality, whilst also rendering the reader aware of existence of certain paradoxical rules that poetry attempts at introducing in the sphere of language and feelings. Attempted reconciliation of such contradictions is beyond reach; yet, a protest in the form of pieces of poetry that broadens the territory of freedom and love becomes the most important thing.

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