The Liminal Character. The problem of Identity at the Crossroads of Cultures

Abstract

Living in the multicultural areas of a predominantly Polish community, German characters either identify themselves as Poles (the fi rst, naive description of their identity), or realise that a full national identifi cation is impossible for them (the second stage, which usually signifi es that they are about to be confronted with German culture). Since their experience of being permanently in-between entails a liminal position, these literary fi gures can be described as liminal. The crucial aspects of describing a literary character as liminal are: 1) the exposure during adolescence to at least two cultures which are perceived as unequal; 2) the aspiration to enter the dominant culture, linked to the promise of a social gain; 3) full alienation – a permanent status as an Other in both cultures; 4) the uniqueness of experience – the absence of a community of people in the same situation, the lack of understanding on the part of people from both cultures. These issues are discussed with reference to the novels Kronika wypadków miłosnych by T. Konwicki, Homunculus z tryptyku by B. Wuttke and Początek by A. Szczypiorski.