Eryk Falk - geniusz zła czy obłąkany neurastenik? ("Homo sapiens" Stanisława Przybyszewskiego)

Abstract

The trilogy Homo sapiens is believed to be one of the greatest achievements of Stanisław Przybyszewski. The author of this article considered the work worthy of special attention with regard to the interesting study of a mental illness. The writer presents a self-obsessed character affected by neurosis which is the reason lor his uncontrolled behaviour. Eryk Falk suffers from neurotic disorders: he experiences hallucinations and. visions during a nervous fever. Besides, he is strongly convinced of his life mission that is, on the one hand, improving the mankind and creating geniuses while, on the other hand, destroying the world. The subject of the novel focuses on the scries of Falk’s immoral acts. Eryk commits them to calm his oversensitive, strained nerves and to release a negative, destructive energy. The author of this article thoroughly analyses the source of the main character’s insanity. It appears that his juvenile experiences and a harmful lifestyle played a considerable role in this psychical process.