Między okiem i uchem. O Szpitalu żydowskim w Warszawie Marii Konopnickiej

Abstract

Between the Eye and the Ear. About Szpital żydowski w Warszawie by Maria Konopnicka In my article, I interpret the work Szpital żydowski w Warszawie [Jewish Hospital in Warsaw] by Maria Konopnicka with emphasis on the way it depicts acoustic phenomena. For the purpose of the analysis, I juxtapose their function with the role assigned to visual references. To this end, I refer to the methodology of sound studies and visual studies. As it turns out, Konopnicka recognizes acoustic phenomena as a way of expressing extreme emotions and limit-experiences (in this case – mental illness) as well as human authenticity. Moreover, by constructing an opposition between sight and hearing, she is able to contrast the world’s rational and irrational aspect and express a crisis of faith in terms of positivistic epistemology.