Symbolika akwatyczna w Fachowcu Wacława Berenta
Aquatic symbolism in Fachowiec by Wacław Berent

Summary/Abstract: Waclaw Berent’s debut novel has usually been interpreted in the context of the categories associated with positivism and naturalism. Because of this approach, or rather method used by historians of literature, the novel has been considered on the one hand obsolete, and on the other – interpretively flat and uninteresting. Therefore, the author of this article has decided to break the hitherto existing research patterns by referring to the symbolic and mythical associations related to the element of water. In her analysis , she covers a number of phenomena and categories (tears, saliva, lake, mist) assigned to the element of water, which reveal interesting interpretive contexts of Berent’s novel. The most important of these concerns the main character, as it allows one to track, understand, and – most importantly – perceive his transformation. The mystery of liberation experienced by Kazimierz Zaliwski is the true meaning of the story he tells, and for every reader it becomes a call to work on learning his or her own self.

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