Open AccessKazik and Kazia: A symbolic gender change in the midst of the fight for independence of Poland
Author(s) -
Anowakowska
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
interalia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1689-6637
DOI - 10.51897/interalia/avgb4241
Subject(s) - independence (probability theory) , patriotism , the symbolic , perception , gender studies , history , psychology , political science , sociology , law , psychoanalysis , mathematics , statistics , neuroscience , politics
Wanda Gertz was one of thirty Polish women who rushed to the frontlines of WW I in male disguise. The author asks what could have provoked such behavior by analyzing archival sources on Wanda Gertz, as well as facts mistakenly associated with her. This paper aims at showing patriotism as one among many motivations for symbolic gender change and joining the army. It also tackles the question of the perception of female soldiers who pass for men, then and now.