”Moderskapet utan glasyr”. Omv?rdering av Moder-Polen-symbolen i polska nutida litter?ra texter och bloggar

摘要

Polish woman-centred symbolism contains a specific dimension which is depicted as the iconof the “Polish Mother” (Matka Polka). This iconic image is deeply rooted in Polish historyand culture, and it often refers to the mother of Jesus, as she is expected to sacrifice herchildren for the motherland. As a woman, she realizes herself not only through motherhoodbut also in service to her nation, and as such, she becomes a highly charged metaphor for bothmotherly love and patriotism. The “Polish Mother” is a myth and stereotype that has shapedthe thinking of the nation for more than two centuries and is still largely in force. However, incontemporary literature (and also various media texts and blogs), one can identify obviousattempts to re-evaluate this very traditional iconic image. Motherhood in particular has gaineda new dimension in contemporary Poland. I investigate some of the most characteristicaspects of the selected texts, focusing on the discrepancy between the old clichés andexpectations and the subversion of traditionally defined motherhood in a modern societywhich no longer takes the “Polish Mother” at face value.