Ocaleć. Narracja, Z/zagłada, kobieta : proza Magdaleny Tulli

Presented dissertation: Ocaleć. Narracja, Z/zagłada, kobieta. Proza Magdaleny Tulli (To Survive. Narration, Holocaust/Annihilation, Woman. The Prose of Magadalena Tulli) starts with an introductory chapter dedicated to an overview of articles, commentaries and critiques concerning novels by Magdalena Tulli, such as: Sny i kamienie (1995), W czerwieni (1998), Tryby (2003), Skaza (2006), Włoskie szpilki (2011) and Szum (2014). The purpose of overview is not only to refer the state of research, but also to introduce the perspective of the dissertation’s author. In this paper Tulli’s work is considered as an overall literary project with a distinct wirter’s mark, a personal signature and visible trace of her own experience. Following chapters are dedicated to the most important aspects of Tulli’s prose. Second chapter focuses on the problems of an autobiography and a personal aspect of writing. Literary theories of an autobiography are refered, also in context of feminist literary criticism, presenting a theoretical frame for Tulli’s novels interpretation. Inspired by the Nancy K. Miller’s arachnology, the dissertation’s author searches for these spots, where the writer’s signature can be found. Interviews with the writer helped in creating a “map” of “her own issues”, as Tulli refers to personal matters. The chapter contains interpretations focused on personal aspects of writing and trails of a textual self, often hidden in layers of a text, in its deeper levels and between details that construct novels. Third chapter concerns the motif which organises whole work of Magdalena Tulli. The dissertation’s author suggests the term “Z/zagłada”, which is an untranslatable reference both to the Holocaust and to an annihilation in the general sense. A report on hate speech (Zamiast procesu. Raport o mowie nienawiści) by Magdalena Tulli and Sergiusz Kowalski provides frames for an interpretation. Novels are analysed and interpreted in chronological order, showing the evolution of this motif and its functioning throughout Tulli’s work. Fourth chapter focuses on a mother-daughter relationship. Theoretical concepts presented by feminist-oriented phiolosophers and scholars serve as a base for further deliberation. The chapter concentrates on Włoskie szpilki and Szum, the latest Tulli’s novels, which main topic is a relationship between the narrator/main character and her mother. The mother, as presented in these novels, is cold, distant, emotionally mutilated and incapable of creating the relationship with the daughter. The relationship is also presented in a wider context of posttrauma, a social hierarchy and a legacy of humiliation. Interpretations that form this chapter lead to the problem of position/state of being victim and overcoming repetitive cycle of a humiliation. The conclusion of the dissertation focuses on the problem of psychological and ethical survival and presents interpretation of one of the closing scenes in Szum: The Lowest Court trial. This scene is not only summation of Tulli’s work, but also of the dissertation, as it concerns problems of surviving and leaving the position of a victim