Nadzieja dla „Innego”. Kategoria „inności” w polskiej wielokulturowej literaturze dla młodych odbiorców

Abstract

he research problem addressed in this article concerns the method of constructing images of “otherness” and of “the Other” by authors of Polish multicultural literature for young readers in the last two decades. Multicultural literature is defined as literature that challenges a social order that is based on discrimination against minority groups. Multicultural literature deconstructs cultural stereotypes and prejudices and promotes intercultural dialogue and inclusiveness. Weronika Kostecka assumes that due to the ethnic and national homogeneity of Polish society, a literary character that uses a language other than Polish, has a skin color other than white, or cultivates other traditions than those commonly identified as Polish, is perceived (in an intra-textual sense and probably also by many prospective young readers) as “the Other.” This leads her to consider — from a postcolonial perspective — the difference between the concepts of otherness and cultural diversity; she points out that the former concept is related to privileging only one — dominant and ego-centric — way of perceiving socio-cultural reality. Finally, Kostecka analyzes the construct of “the Other” on the basis of Polish children’s literature about refugees. She argues that the authors focus on the trauma experienced by the characters as a result of forced migration and solely on their identity as refugees. In conclusion, Kostecka points out that this way of creating refugee stories significantly limits characterization, although it probably serves to emphasize the ethical responsibility of target readers.