Abstract

The author of the text poses questions why there has never been a historical and literary synthesis regarding Polish camp literature, Lager-themed in particular, as Gulag literature possesses at least protosyntheses. He presents his answers which refer to the significance of Tadeusz Borowski’s camp prose, the exceptionality of the Holocaust, and the differences in recording the camp experience domestically and during emigration. What is most important in the article is the indication of the opportunities available today, regardless of the virtually impossible to overcome difficulties, for at least a preliminary synthesis of Polish camp literature to exist. The starting point for that postulate is the application of external criteria: historical-geographical, and historical and literary considering such categories and study perspectives as periodisation, genology, and comparative study.