Rozrywka jako trop kultury w "Piaskowej Górze" Joanny Bator

Abstract

The literary image of entertainment in Joanna Bator’s Piaskowa Góra constantly resurfaces in the current of the plot, co-creating the local colour and becoming the focus of the narration. In the novels, the games usually turn out to be some sort of contamination of the forms of play: mimicry, illinx, less often – agon (Caillois). They arise from the need to invalidate reality, fulfilling an evasive role. The alea form is rarely present because reality shaped by games involving random chance would be difficult to question. All sorts of play went under scrutiny: those linked to a particular city or region (i.e. mining culture related games such as traditional mining initiation rites, “beer hall” feasts, St. Barbara’s day celebrations, etc.), typical urban pastimes (meetups in the pubs, cafés, and clubs), as well as more personal leisure activities (reminiscing over photo albums, browsing through German personal ads, reading “OTTO” catalogues, or observing other people). Bator’s investigation reveals that, sadly, it is the times that make the games. Nevertheless, whatever form the games take, they are always an inherent part of culture and speak volumes about it.