Literacki portret Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie w dramacie po roku 2000

Abstract

The article concentrates on the scholar’s image in two works – Radiation: The Story of Maria Skłodowska Curie by Kazimierz Braun, Blanche and Marie created by Per Olav Enquist. The first part of the article is an analysis of Braun’s drama, which portrays the Nobel prizewinner along both scientific and personal grounds, later to show carefully selected turnabouts in her life. Thanks to Radiation we are able to analyse the process of shaping this genius chemist’s mind and personality, not to mention her industriousness, patriotism and stubborn pursuit of objectives. Braun uses a holistic approach to presenting Marie’s life, he not only concentrates on her tremendous work and contribution to science, but also on her relationship with her daughters after her husband’s death. The second drama, Blanche and Marie, shows only a brief extract from the scholar’s personal life. It tells the story of Marie’s love affair with Paul Langevin through conversations between Marie and her acquaintance Blanche Wittman. This creation reveals the private life of the outstanding Polish scientist, her suffering caused by ostracism from French society, and also her determination and courage to fight for the right to express her own feelings. Olav Enquist’s work skips the scientific nature of Marie’s psyche entirely, to portray her as an independent woman who fights the patriarchal gender roles deeply rooted in society.