(A) Warsaw. Bruno Schulz delivers a talk on Witold Gombrowicz’s novel Ferdydurke in the Polish Writers’ Union.
(A) Schulz delivers an enthusiastic talk on Gombrowicz’s* novel during the Polish Writers’ Union* meeting at 16A Pierackiego St.1. A large group of people listens to his talk –“almost everyone from the young Warsaw literary gang”2, as the editor of Czas puts it – following a stormy discussion during which many people speak, including Wanda Kragen*, Maria Kuncewiczowa*, Stefan Napierski* and Rafał Blüth*.
The discussion reveals big differences of opinion and leads to many misuderstandings3. The first to take the floor, Wanda Kragen, evaluates Gombrowicz’s novel in extremely negative terms4. Despite being polemical, Kragen receives Schulz’s approval, who appreciates her courage and enthusiasm5. Both speeches, presenting diverse judgment, do not convince the audience6. Wanda Kragen meets with the most fierce criticism of the delegates7. Rafał Blüth compares her to Ms. Młodziakowa from Ferdydurke8, and according to the account published in Czas her “low intellectual level contended…with a very feeble knowledge of correct language”9. Next is Stefan Napierski, who condemns Schulz’s enthusiasm in an outright manner. According to Napierski, Gombrowicz’s novel is “directed against the intelligentsia […] who boldly oppose destruction, which simultaneously is a symptom of regression characteristic of postwar culture”10. As a result of Napierski’s vehement speech, a few days later Romana Halpern*, who was the prime mover behind the talk on Ferdydurke, will ask Schulz how he feels11.
Schulz was not satisfied with his performance: – “I left a little low after the fine speeches of the debaters and with a bad aftertaste after my talk”, he confesses to Romana Halpern12. He leaves the Polish Writers’ Union premises before the discussion ends as he feels overwhelmed by the number of people wanting to talk to him and dispute with him13. He receives 50 złoty14 for his talk, despite Wanda Melcer’s15 objections as to its insufficient length16. The discussion opened with the talk on Ferdydurke, then moves onto magazine columns, where many accounts and comments appear. At the end of January Stanisław Piasecki will call Schulza’s enthusiasm a kind of psychosis17.
Schulz’s talk will be published in July 1938 in the Skamander18. (ts) (transl. ms)
See also: first half of November 1937, 12 January 1938, 18 January 1938, 31 January 1938.
(B) [in preparation] (pls)