Line #74 Literature/TheDoll


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3	''Lalka'' [[labelnote:translation]]the/a doll[[/labelnote]] by Bolesław Prus (the pen name of Aleksander Głowacki) is regarded by some as the best novel ever written in Polish. First serialized in the newspaper "Kurier Codzienny" (29th September 1887 - 24th May 1889), then published in a book form by Gebethner i Wolff in 1890, it's the story of a SelfMadeMan Stanisław Wokulski trying to win the love of an [[IceQueen aristocrat]] Izabela Łęcka, at the same time working out who he actually is and what he actually wants, which is anything but simple.
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5	Being full of social criticism, subtle philosophical arguments (on behalf of positivism) and [[Creator/CharlesDickens Dickensian]] episodes, beautifully written, no wonder it became [[MediaNotes/SchoolStudyMedia required reading]] in secondary schools.
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7	It has entered public domain and may be read in its original Polish [[http://pl.wikisource.org/wiki/Lalka_%28Prus%29 here]].
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9	[[SimilarlyNamedWorks No relation]] to [[Film/TheDoll1919 the 1919 Lubitsch film]] or [[Film/TheDoll2017 the 2017 horror film]], although a movie adaptation exists.
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11	----
12	!!''The Doll'' contains examples of:
13	* AbhorrentAdmirer:
14	** Izabela has got quite a few, including the grumpy, large and socially awkward Wokulski and two men in their sixties, Baron Dalski (until he falls in love with Ewelina) and an unnamed military marshal.
15	** The sociable Małgorzata Mincel for the introverted Wokulski.
16	** The 60-something Baron Dalski for Ewelina Janocka, who is in her early 20s (or even younger).
17	* TheAlcoholic:
18	** Jan Mincel was driven to heavy drinking due to friction in his marriage to Małgorzata. The reason could have been Małgorzata's implied MatchmakerCrush on Wokulski. As you may suspect, it's one of the causes of his death.
19	** Both Wokulski and Rzecki are prone to [[DrowningMySorrows drowning their sorrows in various kinds of alcohol.]]
20	** In a more comical form, Councilman Węgrowicz, Mr. Deklewski and lessee Szprot, Rzecki's drinking buddies.
21	* AllTakeAndNoGive: Izabela. In a short time she was actually in a relationship with Wokulski she was definitely the taker.
22	* AllIssuesArePoliticalIssues: Common trope at the time, because they really were, but Rzecki takes it in a direction of his own and believes All Issues Are Connected To The Bonaparte Issue Somehow.
23	* AloneInACrowd: Wokulski has trouble relating to people, even the normal, common-as-dirt people. He never belongs anywhere.
24	* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: Wokulski was given the treatment as a young salesman, because he spent his nights studying to go to the university.
25	* AmbiguousEnding: [[spoiler: Wokulski vanishes. He might have killed himself, or left for Paris. Anyone's guess.]]
26	* {{Angst}}: Wokulski's internal monologue, over himself and the world in general.
27	* {{Arc Word\|s}}: "Lalka" ("a doll"). Also, Wokulski gets called "crazy" by several unconnected people, for several loosely connected reasons.
28	* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: The novel has a conventional third-person narrator, but parts of it are taken from "The old salesman's diary", being written by Ignacy Rzecki, whose interpretation of things is rather sadly [[EntertaininglyWrong wrong]]. Also, he reminisces a lot.
29	* AsTheGoodBookSays: Izabela of all people. She misses the point, though.
30	* BadassBookworm: Wokulski is an alumnus of Szkoła Przygotowawcza and was on his way to becoming an engineer when the Uprising began. He remains interested in science and technology.
31	* BasedOnATrueStory: Think nobody would sue over a doll? It appears someone did, giving Prus the idea for the lawsuit episode as well as the title.
32	* TheBeautifulElite: Izabela's circles.
33	* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Averted, with an exception for Helena Stawska. Izabela only has beauty, and Wokulski - only the troubled goodness. Most characters are neither here nor there, but Izabela cannot comprehend that Wokulski - who's most emphatically not her type - can be a genuine person with feelings, and not a villain or a device to make her rich and respected.
34	* BilingualBackfire: "Farewell, miss Iza."
35	* BilingualDialogue: Any conversation with Grossmutter, who only speaks German.
36	* BrainFever: After his final heartbreak Wokulski spends several weeks in bed.
37	* BrainlessBeauty: Izabela is an etherical, graceful beauty. She's also unable to see anything for what it is, not how it looks like.
38	* CannotTalkToWomen: Stanisław Wokulski usually has no problem talking to women, but most of his conversations with Izabela turn out disastrous - at least, so he thinks.
39	* TheCasanova: Starski.
40	* CategoryTraitor: Szlangbaum, AFriendInNeed of Wokulski's, abused by his coworkers as a Jew, would convert if not for his fear of being branded this.
41	* TheCharmer: Mraczewski, who works in Wokulski's shop and could sell sand to Beduins.
42	* ChronicHeroSyndrome: As much as he {{Angst}}s about it (and he does a [[KnightInSourArmor lot]]), Wokulski keeps helping random people. Mostly financially.
43	* CrazyJealousGuy: If Wokulski is around, don't try and give Izabela looks. He will destroy you the best he can.
44	* CreatureOfHabit: Rzecki's bedroom and his morning routine haven't changed in twenty five years. He's been planning a vacation for all this time [[spoiler: and never got around to taking it]].
45	* TheDandy: The young male part of TheBeautifulElite. Wokulski tries to be one for Izabela.
46	* DeadpanSnarker: Doctor Szuman and Mrs Meliton have both got the fuzzy end of the lolly in their respective lives, making them rather snarky.
47	* DeathByDespair: [[spoiler: Ignacy Rzecki falls ill after Wokulski's dissapearance and Napoleon the Third's death]]. He thinks it's because he's practically retired and hasn't much to do, Szuman says it's heart disease. Whatever it is, he dies of it in the last chapter.
48	* DeathSeeker: Wokulski has these moments. He does try suicide later in the book, but is rescued.
49	* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: Ochocki says he does. Might be simply bored out of his skull.
50	* TheDeterminator: Deconstructed a bit. Wokulski does not give up. Ever. Until he finally [[DrivenToSuicide does]], over something personally painful, but actually quite minor and easily foreseen.
51	* DisproportionateRetribution: Rude or insensitive remarks on the topic of Izabela have cost one man his job and another his tooth.
52	** The second one was actually lucky to loose [[ImprobableAimingSkills his tooth]], not [[ItMakesSenseInContext his head]].
53	* DivorceAssetsConflict: Though Mrs Krzeszowska won't give him an actual divorce, her relationship with her husband is an example, both sides being petty and arguing over money. Though they have one or two AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther moments. Tiny ones.
54	* DoggedNiceGuy: Second version in Wokulski. Whose LoveInterest is explicitly stated in the narrative to be incapable of true love. [[IceQueen Or feelings in general]].
55	* DontYouDarePityMe: Don't try and help Izabela. She's going to hate you with passion.
56	* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale: Wąsowska has a rather twisted explanation as to why women should be allowed to cheat on their men, and why men who do anything about this (like threaten divorce) are morally wrong.
57	* DownerEnding: [[spoiler: Rzecki dies, Wokulski disappears, and Ochocki plans to leave for St. Petersburg - presumably forever.]]
58	* DreamingTheTruth: How Izabela works out just who bought her father's debts.
59	* DrinkBasedCharacterization: Rzecki drinks Hungarian wine with Wokulski when he comes back from Bulgaria. This foreshadows the reveal of his status [[RetiredBadass as a retired officer]] [[OldSoldier of the Hungarian infantry.]]
60	* DuelToTheDeath: Wokulski vs. Krzeszowski, over the latter making Izabela sad. [[spoiler: Score: Wokulski: 1, Krzeszowski: 1 lost tooth, no hard feelings]].
61	* EmptyBedroomGrieving: Krzeszowska only stays in her old flat because she won't move anything in her late daughter's room.
62	* EntertaininglyWrong: It's more sad than entertaining, but whenever someone tries to guess Stanisław Wokulski's motivations, they come up with something grand, fantastic, and entirely wrong. He really only cares for Izabela.
63	* EverybodyHatesMathematics: Izabela thinks ten percent of thirty is ten. Because ten is ten, right?
64	* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: The prince is never given a name.
65	* EveryoneLovesBlondes: Guess what colour Izabela's hair is?
66	* FilmOfTheBook: Made in 1968 by Wojciech Jerzy Has.
67	* FixingTheGame: When they play cards, Wokulski lets Mr Łęcki win, because he's in financial straits and wouldn't take help directly. Mr Łęcki, being [[UpperClassTwit who]] he is, takes it as a proof of his own intelligence.
68	* FrivolousLawsuit: Krzeszowski (who has seventeen lawsuits himself, on account of his numerous and massive debts) falls like a ton of bricks upon his wife after she sues Stawska for theft of her late daughter's doll. Which was actually broken by Krzeszowska's maid. She then hid it to avoid punishment.
69	* GadgeteerGenius / AbsentMindedProfessor: Realistic version in Ochocki, who holds degrees in natural history and engineering, has invented a couple of things and is lovably scatterbrained.
70	* GratuitousEnglish: The actual reason people back then would learn English (fashion aside) was to read English novels, often by Creator/CharlesDickens, whose social sensibilities Prus shares.
71	* GratuitousFrench: The conversations between graceful ladies, naturallement.
72	* GratuitousGerman: The older generation of Mincel family. Jan and Franc are bilingual. Ignacy Rzecki, who grew up with them, falls into GratuitousGerman a couple of times.
73	* HenpeckedHusband: In Rzecki's part of the narrative - Wokulski's marriage to Małgorzata. He mostly did it not to [[GoldDigger starve]], she thought he was hot as hell and kept fawning over him and showing him off, driving him crazy.
74	* HotGuyUglyWife: While not extraordinarily attractive, Wokulski was once locked in a relationship like that with Małgorzata Mincel, who was around sixty at the time of their marriage while Wokulski was 39 and has made it clear that he was only it it for her money. He was also very [[{{Squick}} squicked by her advances]].
75	* HystericalWoman: Krzeszowska spasms, cries, sends anonymous letters full of slander and sues people.
76	* TheIngenue: Discussed and deconstructed. Izabela and Ewelina, the pretty, refined, graceful young ladies, are completely self-absorbed and shallow. The women of this sort are compared by Mrs Zasławska to dolls, pretty, but worthless - and when they grow up, it's usually too late. Wąsowska is implied to have been one in her youth.
77	* InterruptedSuicide: After hearing Izabella's conversation with Starski (they spoke in English, being [[HidingBehindtheLanguageBarrier convinced that he wouldn't understand]]), Wokulski attempts suicide by throwing himself under a train. He gets saved by Wysocki's brother (one of the random people Wokulski has [[ChekhovsGunman helped]]). Also, Szuman claims he tried to poison himself due to LoveHurts.
78	* ImStandingRightHere: Mr Łęcki runs into the shop, shouting abuse about Szlangbaum's father (who really, really hasn't ripped him off, but Mr Łęcki is a bit [[UpperClassTwit deluded]] about money).
79	* ImpoverishedPatrician: Mr Łęcki. It's not that obvious at the first glance in-universe, but he is selling everything he owns jut to keep afloat. Without Wokulski's help from behind the scene, Łęcki would get broke in no time.
80	* JewishAndNerdy: Szuman is a doctor of medicine with strong scientific interests, and he strongly prefers pursuing these interests to treating people (he will help you, in his own [[DrJerk blunt]] manner, if you're a friend or can't afford doctors). Also Szlangbaum's father thinks this trope is the greatest advantage Jews have.
81	* KnightInSourArmor: Szuman (as befits a member of medical profession in a XIX century Polish novel) is a world-weary, mightily [[DeadpanSnarker snarky]] guy who ''will'' make some tiny improvement to the wold, dammit. Like curing some poor soul who hasn't money for doctors.
82	* LoveAtFirstSight: Wokulski saw Izabela. Thus, the plot was set in motion.
83	* LoveMakesYouDumb: Virtually all dumb things Wokulski does are desperate attempts to get Izabela's attention or approval. The only smart thing he does for his love is learning English (as a surprise for her), so when Izabela badmouths him to someone else in this language, he can at least get properly [[DrivenToSuicide heartbroken]].
84	* LovingAShadow: Wokulski. Somewhat unusual version in Izabela, who "loves" a marble statue (of Apollo). Yes, really.
85	* MadScientist: Professor Geist, though he might just be a conman. We'll never know...
86	* MadonnaWhoreComplex: Wokulski is a case, possibly because his lofty ideals clash with what Izabela does.
87	* MakeUpIsEvil: Of the "dangerous to the user's health" sort. Małgorzata dies after applying some sort of snake oil that was supposed to make her prettier.
88	* MarryForLove: The only one in this story who does is Węgiełek, and he becomes increasingly paranoid and [[GreenEyedMonster jealous]] of his wife [[spoiler: after meeting one of her former clients by chance]] souring the relationship.
89	* TheMatchmaker: Mrs Meliton is one by profession. Rzecki has, in good faith, set Wokulski up with Małgorzata Mincel, and tries to set him up with Helena Stawska, because he thinks they're made for each other.
90	* MistakenForSpies: The English teacher and Mrs Meliton, by Ignacy Rzecki, who seems convinced Wokulski is part of a spy network.
91	* MoralGuardians: Krzeszowska inexplicably accuses Helena Stawska of seducing her husband, Wokulski, Rzecki... She's also very concerned with her maid's perceived lack of morality, but can't see anything wrong in the frequent executor of her schemes, Maruszewicz. Who actually is a petty forger.
92	* TheMorlocks: The only thing Izabela is scared of (see the factory scene in chapter V).
93	* NoAccountingForTaste: Peple think this of Ewelina and the baron. She only sees his money and bad health, but he's actually in love. [[spoiler: Till he learns of her cheating.]]
94	* NobilityMarriesMoney: Why Izabela's family isn't really adverse to Wokulski.
95	* ObliviouslyEvil: Izabela has no idea how much suffering she causes.
96	* PatrioticFervor: The prince, in a lofty, romantical way.
97	* ThePhilosopher: Wokulski monologues internally on the subjects of LoveHurts and InherentInTheSystem.
98	* PrettyBoy: Several. Mostly in Izabela's circles - Starski is one of them.
99	* PrincessInRags: Mr Łęcki has lost nearly all his money. You'd never tell from his and his daughter's lifestyle.
100	* ProperLady: Madame Zasławska.
101	* RichInDollarsPoorInSense: Mr Łęcki and his daughter both only belong in a ballroom. Pity their money is long gone at this point.
102	* RomanticismVersusEnlightenment: Major theme. Ignacy Rzecki is a consummate romantic, who thinks big (when it comes to politics - in his own life he's an unassuming, quiet person). Ochocki is a (kind of western style) positivist, fascinated by science. Wokulski (who fought in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_Uprising January Uprising]] and was sent to Siberia for it, but later got rich selling grain to the Tzar's army) zigzags between the two. In the end, he's mostly driven by emotion. While still advocating modern technology and commiting small acts of good in a somewhat detached, absentminded way.
103	* ScarsAreForever: Or, in Wokulski's case, frostbite marks he got in Siberia. Izabela finds them repulsive.
104	* SchoolIsForLosers: Wokulski's father kept berating him in his youth for wasting money on books. As did his collegues at work.
105	* ShellShockedVeteran: Wokulski has hints of this, especially during fancy parties, where he's not sure of himself.
106	* ShipperOnDeck: Rzecki, for Wokulski and anyone, really.
107	* SiblingRivalry / VitriolicBestBuds: Jan and Franc Mincel do love each other, but their rather different outlooks result in a constant state of war. They only make up to start the fight anew.
108	* SingleTargetSexuality: Wokulski is in love with Isabela. That's it. That's the core of the story. When Helena Stawska, a beautiful angel of a woman (and a widow, hence available) appears, Wokulski is happy to help her in her need - but purely platonically (to [[ShipperOnDeck Rzecki]]'s frustration).
109	* SillyRabbitRomanceIsForKids: Szuman considers this "love" thing utter nonsense and pathology.
110	* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: All over the scale, from the staunch idealist Rzecki to the cynical doctor Szuman.
111	* SourOutsideSadInside: Wokulski is rather aloof by default, but much more so whenever he's worrying about personal matters.
112	* SpoiledBrat: Izabela is genuinely devoid of empathy.
113	* StarCrossedLovers: Wokulski's paternal uncle and countess Zasławska used to be very much in love. Money got in the way.
114	* {{Streetwalker}}: Marianna, one of Wokulski's charity cases. Once reformed, she [[MarryForLove marries]] Węgiełek (another charity case).
115	* StoryWithinAStory: Węgiełek tells a [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic poignant]] fairy tale.
116	* TallPoppySyndrome
117	* TheChainOfHarm: At one point, Wokulski is visiting large stables. The stable owner gets angry at one of his underlings and chews him out. A moment later, Wokulski sees a stable boy running out onto the street and kicking a Jewish kid.
118	* TheTease: Izabela is a flirt. Even with her fiance around. Wąsowska can't let a man go unseduced either, though she finds Wokulski [[SingleTargetSexuality unbreakable]].
119	* TheyCalledMeMad: Geist's ideas, dismissed by the French scholars, actually seem to make some [[ScienceMarchesOn sense]] today. Though they're still a bit risque (manipulating molecular structures has its limits, like everything).
120	* UglyGuyHotWife: Not that they ever marry, but Izabela sees her prospective relationship with Wokulski like this. And she won't give up her herd of admirers.
121	* UngratefulBastard: Izabela is only "grateful" to people she likes. Anyone else doing her a favour is either forgotten or taken as ManipulativeBastard and passionately hated.
122	* UnreliableNarrator: Slightly, we learn as much from him as from the characters speculating and gossiping. Sometimes the narrator won't say who's actually right.
123	* UnrequitedLoveLastsForever: Wokulski does get horribly disillusioned with Izabela, but it's ambiguous whether he stops loving her. At the point where it only causes him pain.
124	* UpperClassTwit: Tomasz Łęcki, Izabela's father, is very polite and well mannered, but entirely clueless as to what the world is like.

Context Literature / TheDoll