Katarynka
Katarynka (the Polish word means "barrel organ") is a novella written by the Polish author Bolesław Prus in 1880.[1]
Description
Katarynka is divided into two parts. The first part consists of biographical plots, the second – of action.[2]
In the first part the author shows us the main character who is named Mr Tomasz. He is a genteel old man, always neatly dressed with good taste. Mr Tomasz walks from Krasiński Square to Senatorska Street everyday, for 30 years. In his youth, he was spontaneous and sociable, what helped him at his work as a lawyer and to charming women. Matchmakers never urged him to the marriage and Mr Tomasz leads a life of unmarried man. That time he started interesting in high culture. As a lawyer with appreciable estate, Mr Tomasz still is alone, because he could not locate his feelings properly and lifelong. Time was running, the man still filled his flat in new furniture, works of art and looked for a wife in vain. He is considered an art lover with antipathy towards organ-grinders. The antipathy is absurd – he pay the watchman for not keep out hated organ-grinders to courtyard.[2]
The action starts at the moment we meet blind eight-year-old girl, which lives opposite to Mr Tomasz’s flat. The girl enchains his attitude by her offbeat behaviour. The man did not appreciate that she is blind until he noticed that she does not respond to very intense sunlight. Child’s affliction shocks Mr Tomasz.[2]
Thereafter the author presents the history of the girl from the time she lost eyesight. It is a description of fairly happy moments spent in the old flat.[2]
The one day the attorney centres on his work ignoring daily routines and even forgetting to instruct new watchman not to let organ-grinders in. He is very upset hearing sounds of the barrel-organ and get up to berate the organ-grinder, but when he see how happy the girl from the opposite window is, he decides not attack. Mr Tomasz gives the caretaker 10 złotych and commands bring organ-grinders everyday. Personally he awards the musician also, finds names of oculist in his notebook and exits to the street purring.[2]
Characters
- Mr Tomasz – the main character of the novella, retired attorney, connoisseur of art. A loner, although he did not avoid people (especially women) in his youth.[3]
- Blind girl – 8-year-old Mr Tomasz’s neighbor. Despite her disability she is curious of the world. Move to new, quiet and calm place takes away her smile. The visit of organ-grinder pulls her out from isolation.[3]
- Girl’s mother – almost absent in the novella. Young, caring, works at home as a dress-maker.[3]