(Un)masculine characters? A Portrait of Father and Son in "Pokora" by Szczepan Twardoch

Abstract

This sketch is an attempt to take a closer look at the portraits of the two main characters in Pokora (2020) by Szczepan Twardoch. Through the description of Alois's experiences, the reader becomes well acquainted with his father - Anton, who has a destructive effect on his son's life and is responsible for most of his traumas, childhood wounds. Growing up in a patriarchal home and society, young Pokora becomes accustomed to his father's hegemony, anger, and violent behavior. Being taught humility above everything else he takes this trait further into his life  and implements it into his adolescent and adulthood, which manifests, among other things, in his inability to defend himself, in his complicated relationships with women, and issues with his identity and masculinity. Alois's attempt to make any kind of change in usually ends with his downfall and humiliation.