Abstract

The main conundrum discussed in this article is Maria Pawlikowska- Jasnorzewska’s definition of the identity of poetic creativity in exile. The act of selfdetermination is understood as a dynamic process, open to constant change and confrontation. In a state of exile, which is recognized as one of loss and coercion, confrontation with an alien cultural space conveys the demand to remain a stranger. Memory, for an exile, is a guarantee of cultural quality and allows the exile to challenge basic values and to seek protection, which provides a sense of and ensures continuity. In addition, images deposited in the memory bank, characterized by intimacy and privacy, blend in with the search for compensation.