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“A so-and-so master…”. The presence of Norwid in late lyrics by Tadeusz Różewicz
Abstract
At the beginning of the 1990s,Tadeusz Różewicz prepared his own selection of poems by Norwid. Although this personal anthology was never published, a trace of it lingers in the form of the essay “To, co zostało z nienapisanej książki o Norwidzie” [What remains of the book on Norwid I never wrote], and more deeply – in the shape of numerous references to Norwid’s poetry and biography in Różewicz’s lyricism from the last quarter of his literary career. This article attempts to reconstruct Różewicz’s dialogue with his nineteenth-century precursor, which he initiatedlate in his life. Analysis incorporates several aspects of Harold Bloom’s theory of literary influence,indicating shared elements and polemical issues. Interpretations revolve primarily around works from those poetry books by Różewicz that contain particularly clear references to Norwid: Płaskorzeźba, Szara strefa, Nożyk profesora, Zawsze fragment. Recykling, and Wyjście. Conclusions drawn from a number of detailed, comparatist readings make it possible to establish thematic similarities (e.g. existential lack and incompleteness affecting both the lyrical subject and the poems’ protagonists, a predilection for developing figures who are misunderstood, inconspicuous, and hollowed out, etc.) andformal preferences (e.g. the use of ellipsis,terse and precise imagery, and consideration for the poem’s visual dimension). However, Różewicz also identifies in Norwid’s poetry certain things that repel him, e.g. lofty poetics, self-restraint with regard to sensuality, and the tendency to obscure the literal character of evil with symbolic images.
Keywords:
Polish lyricism, Cyprian Norwid, Tadeusz Różewicz, word and silence, comparative studiesDetails
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