Syzyfowe prace

In the second half of the nineteenth century, Marcin Borowicz is sent to a village school in Owczary to obtain basic education that will later enable him to pass entry exams for a Polish gymnasium in Kielce. This early schooling marks the beginning of his journey within an education system shaped by Russification policies. The move foreshadows the obstacles he will face on his path to higher education.

In junior school, Borowicz begins to experience the Russification process, though he is initially unaware of its full consequences. Over time, these pressures start to shape his political views and his understanding of Polish history and culture.

In the summer of 1884, Borowicz travels with his mother and Joseph to Kielce to take the entry exams for the Kielce Gymnasium. He hopes to continue his education there after passing the exams.

Having passed, he is accepted as a preparatory student and begins his education at the Kielce Gymnasium. He soon faces the challenge of fitting in with his new classmates.

Borowicz finds it difficult to get along with his new peers, who can be unpleasant or mean toward him and other students. The social friction adds another layer of pressure as he pursues education under occupation.

After school, he is placed in detention for a fight with one student and for speaking Polish instead of Russian, which is the compulsory language at school. The incident highlights how language policy is enforced in daily life at Kielce.

Late for Mass at the school chapel, Borowicz witnesses a heated argument between the old priest and Mr. Majewski over whether the Mass should be celebrated in Russian under the new regulations. The clash exposes the tension between religious rites and state policy.

The prefect insists that the Mass be conducted in Polish, while Majewski demands Russian; the argument escalates until the priest loses his temper and orders Majewski to leave the chapel.

Afterward, the priest discovers that Borowicz witnessed the entire incident and quietly instructs him to keep it secret and not to discuss what he saw with anyone.

The priest's warning underscores the risks of speaking out about religious and political disputes within the school and church community. It foreshadows the difficult choices Borowicz will face in navigating authority and Polish identity.

These experiences deepen Borowicz's awareness of Polish identity under foreign rule and begin to shape his political conscience. He realizes the ongoing struggle between Polish culture and the Russification regime.

Despite the tensions, Borowicz continues his studies at Kielce Gymnasium while the chapel incident embodies the broader conflict between Polish cultural resilience and Russification policies. The environment remains charged with authority and nationalist pressures.