Kaža Biņķa „Vējgrābslis” un Aleksandra Čaka „Pilsētas zēns” kā lietuviešu un latviešu modernisma programmas

Abstract

The article analyses two poems: a poem “A Giddy-Headed” (Vėjavaikis, 1923) by Kazys Binkis (1893–1942) and a poem “A City Brat” (Pilsētas zēns, 1929) by Aleksandrs Čaks (true name Aleksandrs Čadarainis, 1901–1950). The analysis is based on a kind of poetics that could be called micropoetics. Both poems are treated as the modernist programmes of unique Lithuanian and Latvian literatures compared in all essential aspects: 1) conception of man and world; 2) relation to earlier literary trends; 3) genre, expressive means, etc. “A Giddy-Headed” expresses a more abstract, more symbolic, more passionate variant of modernism closer to futurism. “A City Brat” conveys a more realistic, more ironic instance of modernism. Lithuanian modernist poetry, represented by “A Giddy-Headed”, is much closer to the traditional rustic and ethnic culture. In comparison with Latvian poetry, this poetry lacks a stronger urbanistic paradigm, nuanced expression, and a more self-critical attitude.