Syzyfowe prace (The Labors of Sisyphus in English) is anautobiographical novel byPolish authorStefan Żeromski which first appeared in the magazineNowa Reforma [pl] in 1897. The work was published under the pseudonym Maurycy Zych and it was the writer's first published work.
The novel is based on the author's personal experiences as a child and adolescent in the Russian-controlledCongress Poland. It is a portrait of his school and its students' attempts to resist the policy ofRussification imposed by theTsarist authorities.[1] The main plot shows the transformation of the protagonist Marcin Borowicz, from fascination with Russia to Polish patriotism under the influence of Andrzej Radek.[2] The title refers to theGreek myth ofSisyphus, and portrays the attempts to indoctrinate the students as an occasionally successful, but ultimately doomed to failure, endeavor. Initially, the novel was to be titled "The Savior", referring to the change in the attitude of the main character.[3]
The novel is set in the fictional town of Kleryków. One of the main characters, and one of the leaders of the rebellious students is Marcin Borowicz, originally named Andrzej Radek, a farmer's son.
In 2000, it was adapted into afilm of the same name byPaweł Komorowski.
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