Łódź

Łódź is the industrial city at the center of Reymont’s The Promised Land, where its scale, noise, and unpleasant atmosphere give a concrete setting to the novel’s portrait of capitalism at its heyday.

Industrial setting

Published in book form in 1899, The Promised Land depicts Łódź during a period of unbridled capitalism. The city’s magnitude, din, and unpleasant stink are central to the account of its industrial character.

Literary significance

Reymont’s earlier experience of London helped shape his depiction of Łódź. In a letter to his brother, he called London a “monstrous colossus” and a “hell-city”; its overwhelming scale and oppressive character foreshadow the novel’s portrayal of Łódź. After his exhaustive work on The Promised Land, Reymont turned his attention toward the countryside.