In a spy maze. Spy novel in the Polish People’s Republic (on example of the “Maze” series)

Abstract

The article presents a spy novel of the period of the Polish People’s Republic in historical-literary shot. The analysis of the books from the “Maze” series shows that the propaganda function dominates in them over the entertainment function, which is characteristic of various areas of popular culture in the Polish People’s Republic.

The “Maze” series was issued by the Publishing House of the Ministry of National Defence in the years 1957–1991. What appeared in it were “ordinary” milicja novels, but primarily spy novels. In the Polish People’s Republic spy novel, same as milicja novel, had to perform a propaganda function besides the entertainment one. It manifests itself, among other things, in referring to the conventions of the early European spy novels from the turn of the 19th and 20th century, that means showing the Polish People’s Republic as a country, which only defends itself against spies, not stealing secrets of other countries. Far from reality and only propaganda was also the picture of Poland as a country producing numerous inventions and technologies, for which spies from the West hunt. The picture of the enemy and the image of own agents contrasted with it have a propaganda character too. The spies from BND or CIA don’t hesitate to murder, they are also ruthless to their co-workers, generally represent very low moral level. They are often former Nazis, they only care about earning. On the other hand, officers of the counterintelligence of the Polish People’s Republic are people with ideas, serving the motherland devotedly, better in every way than their opponents, also in terms of private life. Each of those stories ends, of course, with victory of “ours” and – same as milicja novel – doesn’t leave readers any doubts about who is absolutely right in this conflict – talking about both political and moral reasons.