Cosmos: Analysis of Major Characters
"Cosmos: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the complex dynamics and psychological depth of its central figures, primarily focusing on Witold, a Warsaw student navigating his strained relationship with his parents. Set in the mountain resort of Zakopane, Witold becomes engrossed in interpreting seemingly random events and objects, leading him on a quest for meaning amidst the signs he perceives around him. His fixation on the physical features of the people he encounters, particularly two women in the boarding house, highlights his growing obsession and instability as he seeks connections that may not exist.
Witold's friend Fuchs accompanies him, providing a contrasting demeanor of boredom that underscores the tension between their different approaches to the unfolding mystery. The characters surrounding Witold are vividly drawn, including Kulka Wojtys, the nurturing yet somewhat plump housewife; her husband Leo, a retired banker; and Lena, their virginal daughter, who captures Witold's attention with her innocence. The narrative also introduces Katasia, a relative characterized by her disfigurement, which intrigues Witold in its own way. These characters collectively contribute to a narrative steeped in existential questioning and the search for deeper truths amidst chaos, making "Cosmos" a rich exploration of human perception and the interplay of reality and interpretation.
Cosmos: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Witold Gombrowicz
First published: Kosmos, 1965 (English translation, 1966)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Poland
Plot: Philosophical realism
Time: The 1960's
Witold (VEE-tohld), the narrator, a student from Warsaw who does not get along with his parents. He is obsessed with interpreting the random events and objects in his environment. He and a fellow student rent a room in the mountain resort of Zakopane in Poland as a place to study for their examinations. On their first day at the resort, they come across a dead sparrow that has been left hanging by a wire, and Witold ponders whether it is meant to be some kind of message or sign. They begin to discover what appear to be other signs or clues, including more objects left hanging. Witold is also fixated on the physical features of those around him (such as their hands) and grows obsessed with the mouths of two women who live in the rooming house. He becomes increasingly compelled to look for connections and links between events as if there were some kind of plot or mystery to be unraveled. He is never sure whether the objects they find really do have significance or he has merely interpreted them so. Witold begins to lose his control of reality and creates his own mystery by killing a cat and hanging it. He eventually finds the body of a man hanging in a tree.
Fuchs (fewks), a fellow student and friend of Witold. He often seems bored and vacant. He assists Witold in his efforts to resolve the mystery of the puzzling objects.
Kulka Wojtys (KEWL-kah VOY-tihsh), the somewhat plump housewife who rents a room to the two friends.
Leo Wojtys, Kulka's husband. He is a short, bald man who is a retired banker.
Lena, Kulka's daughter, an attractive woman with a virginal appearance. Witold is obsessed with her freshness and the innocent eroticism of her mouth. It is her cat that Witold throttles.
Louis, Lena's husband. He is tall, well built, and intelligent looking and has well-shaped hands. Witold finds him hanging in a group of trees, an apparent suicide.
Katasia (kah-TAH-syah), Kulka's poor relative who helps in the kitchen. She has a lip disfigurement that gives her a somewhat sensual and reptilian look. Witold becomes transfixed by the erotic suggestiveness of her mouth and lips.