Uchwytywanie Wojaczka – szukanie tożsamości w ciele

Abstract Wojaczek's Device: Searching for Identity in the Body Rafał Wojaczek’s poetry serves as a literary reflection on the identity of the individual in the context of the challenging socio-political realities of the Polish People’s Republic (PRL). This article analyzes the complexity of social and individual identity in the poet’s work, as he grapples with his own identity crisis while attempting to find his place in a society constrained by ideological limitations. Specifically, it examines how Wojaczek constructs his heroism, on one hand embracing the conventions of national identity, and on the other, expressing disillusionment and alienation resulting from his confrontation with an oppressive political system. In the context of the identity crisis, which is a typical phenomenon accompanying radical social changes, Wojaczek’s poetry addresses themes of individual suffering, alienation, and the inability to clearly define one’s place in the world. The article also refers to contemporary theories of identity crisis, highlighting the fragmentation of the individual’s self-image in response to social transformations. As a representative of the „New Wave” literary movement, Wojaczek also tackles the theme of national identity, whose elements – both historical and political – influence the poet’s personal experiences. In Wojaczek’s poetry, individual identity is constantly questioned by external forces – social and political. The characters presented in his poems are full of anxiety, grappling with questions about the meaning and purpose of life, often struggling with internal contradictions and an inability to express themselves in society.Analyzing his work in the context of the identity crisis, the article shows how Wojaczek’s poetry becomes a means of understanding both oneself and the social conditions that shape it. Additionally, there is a reflection on the body and how bodily metaphors are used to depict the problems associated with shaping one’s identity.