Disgust as a Warranty of Affective Cognition. The Case Study of "Copyright" by Michał Witkowski

Abstract

Copyright (2001) was interpreted as a story about childhood and adolescence, presenting both experiences of a maturing protagonist as well as the Polish reality of the last two decades of the 20th century. Coming to terms with his own childhood and a search for the language to express his own „self” determines the narration of the book. However, this rhythm of narration is disturbed by objects of disgust that the stories teem with. As a result, the author would like to suggest interpreting the collection of stories by Witkowski from an affective perspective. By analysing the diffrent texts, the author explains what role disgust and its objects play in the collection. It is argued that despite its negative properties disgust may be a necessary condition of self-fulfilment and a source of affective cognition. This happens among others thanks to becoming aware of childhood feelings the main character experienced when confronted with the disgusting people and objects.