Introduction to the theory of Roberto Schwarz

The aim of this article is to discuss the main points of Roberto Schwarz’s thought, which is little known to a Polish audience. To this end, I analyze his interpretations of Machado de Assis’s work and the concept of "displaced ideas". I also relate Schwarz’s considerations to the problematic of the theoretical conceptualization of the masterpiece in Marx’s writings and point to potential applications of Schwarz’s theory to studies on Polish literature.