The Conscientious Watching. The Ridiculousness and the Problem of Recognition in Tadeusz Różewicz’s Oeuvre

The article discusses the possibility of employing the definition of humour as “a conscientious watching”(proposed by Bolesław Prus) to encompass the “serious”lyric and the poetic “smiles”of Tadeusz Różewicz. The relation between the ridiculousness and the recognition in his oeuvre is analysed, whereas the “recognition”in literature is to be understood – according to Rita Felski – as a type of affected engagement, perceptive impressions and aesthetically mediated ties. In this context and in accordance with Felski’s suggestion, the methods of “reenacting”the struggles for recognition in Różewicz’s prose as well as poetry were discussed.

The article discusses the possibility of employing the definition of humour as “a conscientious watching”(proposed by Bolesław Prus) to encompass the “serious”lyric and the poetic “smiles”of Tadeusz Różewicz. The relation between the ridiculousness and the recognition in his oeuvre is analysed, whereas the “recognition”in literature is to be understood – according to Rita Felski – as a type of affected engagement, perceptive impressions and aesthetically mediated ties. In this context and in accordance with Felski’s suggestion, the methods of “reenacting”the struggles for recognition in Różewicz’s prose as well as poetry were discussed.