The Semantics of Home in the Works of Olga Tokarczuk

Abstract

Home is that magical place which functions as an intermediary between our inner psychic Cosmos and the external Cosmos. It is, as it were, the axis of the cyclic nature of human existence – on the one hand, it embraces a person frightened and weary from the constant commands and prohibitions coming from the outside, providing peace and comfort; on the other hand, it urges the human being outward, beyond its walls, so that they may come to know the world and others, without whom they would not be able to live, and then it welcomes them back again to soothe the pain caused by this difficult journey. The “message” of Home “releases” these opposing vectors, without which the existence of the subject would be impossible. The aim of the study is, on the basis of the works of Olga Tokarczuk, to demonstrate the dynamics of the “incarnations” of Home and their influence on the development, choices and decisions of the personality. The methods used include cognitive-semantic analysis, the psychological method, and the comparative method.