%0 Journal Article %T “Staring at the enemy, he would become Polish again” – a few reflexions on the notion of ethnicityin Letícia Wierzchowski’s novels %A Wolny, Anna %J Romanica Cracoviensia %V Volume 23 (2023) %R 10.4467/20843917RC.23.045.19276 %N Volume 23, Issue 3 %P 431-442 %K new Latin-American historical novel, ethnicity, Polish immigration to Brazil, Letícia Wierzchowski %@ 1732-8705 %D 2024 %U https://ejournals.eu/en/journal/romanica-cracoviensia/article/voltava-a-ser-um-polones-olhando-para-o-inimigo-algumas-reflexoes-sobre-a-etnicidade-na-escrita-de-leticia-wierzchowski %X The main aim of the following article is to present the ways in which Letícia Wierzchowski, herself a descendent of “poloneses” (Poles), undertakes the (de)construction of an ethnic stereotype around Polish immigrants. First of all, we present some factors that participated in the definition of the pejorative ethnic stereotype. Next, based on her novel Uma ponte para Terebin (“A bridge to Terebin”) the author´s commitment for the sentiment of cultural belonging is discussed. It is implied that, in addition to manifesting them on personal plan, the writer mentions problems related to the existence of her ethnic group, subscribing herself into a long cultural and historical discussion. The question to which the following analysis tries to present possible answers is whether the author deconstructs the stereotype, perpetuates it, or tries to create a new meaning to replace it.