DIRT AS A METAPHOR OF BRUNON SCHULTZ’S WORKS Cover Image

BRUD JAKO METAFORA W TWÓRCZOŚCI BRUNONA SCHULZA
DIRT AS A METAPHOR OF BRUNON SCHULTZ’S WORKS

Author(s): Magdalena Jarnotowska
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Łódzkie Towarzystwo Naukowe
Keywords: Bruno Schulz; Kazimierz Wyka; Stefan Napierski; Dwugłos o Schulzu; dirt; cleanliness; hygiene; crystal palace; interwar literary criticism

Summary/Abstract: The study describes anthropological and philosophical aspects of dirt as a metaphor. The author interprets the motif in the context of hygiene rhetoric (crystal palace, cleansing the society of unnecessary elements, dirt as a form of revolt, dirt as stigma etc.). Based on the example of Dwugłos o Schulzu by Kazimierz Wyka and Stefan Napierski she analyzes the meaning of metaphors and axiologically characterized pictures, favouring the analogy: if it is dirty, it is immoral. The author is interested in the idea of cleanliness and dirt as understood and pictured by the authors of the interwar period. It is these notions that literary critics of the named period refer to while formulating allegations towards Schulz’s works. The author presents dirt as a historically and culturally variable category, which was influenced by the development of medicine, cosmetic industry and advertising. She confronts Schulz’s modern guardian of order — Adela, with Jacob, an eccentric who introduces chaos and impropriety. The author is trying to grasp these metaphors and pictures due to which dirt in Schulz’s world stands for a creative potential.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 69
  • Page Range: 117-128
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish
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