Smallness, Futility, Love. Worms in the Literary Works of Jan Kasprowicz

Abstract

The article is a review of the entire set of Jan Kasprowicz’s literary works from the perspective of the use within them of the term worm (robak) and its derivatives (robaczek [tiny worm], robaczywy [infested by worms] and robactwo [vermin]) as well as synonymous terms (czerw [maggots], glista [roundworm]). This is the anonymous worm, deprived of typological or generic affiliation although named differently. An exception was made for the leech, the only ‘worm’ appearing in the poet’s works with a specified name, belonging to a defined genus and classified by zoologists as a worm in the olden times.
The purpose of these considerations is to attempt to answer the question: what purpose do the worms serve the poet? Consequently, a micrological perspective is
used that takes into account the methods of creating animal characters and their function and symbolism in literature.
Conducted analyses indicate that in Kasprowicz’s works worms are primarily linked to man, his carnality and spirituality. The first category then is the manworm in the meaning of smallness. The second category is the worm disturbing the soul, which applies to evil manifesting in human life. The third category is the worm positioned in human body, meaning worms hidden in the living man, designed as a mortal being, and the vermin tormenting the already dead body. In the second case, death is sometimes linked to love, together creating an insurmountable, vicious circle of existence. It may also provoke thoughts on total lifelessness and nothingness, life emptiness.
Zoomorphic images or associations allow the poet to describe man in every aspect: existential, national, social and religious. Terms such as worm and vermin sound rather unpleasant, consequently, with certain exceptions, they are characterised negatively in those works and prove the permanent sensitivity of Kasprowicz to sin, harm, suffering and death.