Women and other horrors. Mythization and female queer gothic in Olga Tokarczuk’s Empuzjon

Abstract

The subject of considerations in the article is the way in which Olga Tokarczuk uses mythical elements in her latest novel – Empuzjon. By analyzing the use of mythological figures such as Empuzy and Tuntschi, the author creates a space for exploring the boundaries of identity, sexuality and patriarchal society. The work presents a clear thesis that misogyny is the cause not only of women’s social exclusion, but also of creating them as – literal – monsters and monstrosities. The strategy of monstrosity chosen by Tokarczuk serves not only to show the dualistic nature of the world, but also as an impetus for critical reflection on society and human nature.