“Esses malditos polacos” – Letícia Wierzchowski na discussão sobre a etnicidade polonesa

Abstract

“THOSE DAMN POLES” – LETICIA WIERZCHOWSKI DISPUTING THE POLISH ETHNICITY

The main goal of the following paper is to present in which way Letícia Wierzchowski’s prosaic work (specifically, her novels A bridge to Terebin, The Getkas and Polish crystal) – herself being a Polish descendent – inserts itself into the discussion about the presence of Polish colonization and an ethnic stereotype which accompanied it. First, the reflections and positions of Wilson Martins (1955) and Octávio Ianni (1966) – two Brazilian scientists who had a major impact on the formation of Polish identity - are presented. Afterwards, by using examples from Wierzchowski’s novels, an intertextual relation between the scientific discourse and literal representation of elements which formed the negative stereotype about Polish immigrants is exposed. Manifesting her commitment to the idea of cultural belonging in her books, Wierzchowski refers – more or less explicitly – to concepts and discursive formulations prior to her work. Another goal of this paper reveals itself as a comment on the manner in which, through an intertextual reference not necessarily intentional, are produced literal texts which revisit ideas previously developed and spread as scientifically objective.