Magda Zawadzka Character Analysis in Reckoning

Magda Zawadzka is a Polish actress, appearing most notably in the film Colonel Wolodyjowski. She is Danuta and Andrzej’s daughter and Magda Szubanski’s cousin. Because she shares her name, Magda looks up to her cousin Magda and visits with her each time she travels to Poland. Cousin Magda’s role in Colonel Wolodyjowski as Basia Wolodyjowska, the wife of a Polish military warrior, ignites Magda with a patriotic passion for Poland that Peter never inspired in her.

Magda Zawadzka Character Timeline in Reckoning

The timeline below shows where the character Magda Zawadzka appears in Reckoning. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Poland seemed like a magical fairyland. Poland came to life for Magda when her cousin, Magda Zawadzka , starred in Colonel Wołodyjowski, a movie about the Turks invading Polish territory. The movie... (full context)

...szlachta were glamorous people, decking out their horses with what today would be called “bling.” Cousin Magda ’s character in Colonel Wołodyjowski embodied the fierce spirit of Polish women, who were expected... (full context)

Morality, Survival, and Perspective Theme Icon

...traumatized by the violence. When Magda mentioned the movie’s brutality to her cousin years later, cousin Magda retorted that Poland’s history is brutal. Once, when a family member remarked that the two... (full context)

The following morning, Magda’s cousin, Magda Zawadzka , visits. Magda is in awe of her cousin’s kindness and sophistication; cousin Magda’s husband,... (full context)

...the commemoration day of the Warsaw Uprising, Magda meets Agnieszka, an acting school friend of Magda Zawadzka ’s, in a cemetery. Agnieszka saunters toward Magda while a man—who happens to be her... (full context)

When Magda and her parents leave Warsaw, they bring home gifts. Magda Zawadzka gives Magda an amber necklace with a shadowy insect trapped in the gem. In contrast... (full context)

One night, Magda and Magda Zawadzka discuss the role that trauma played in creating their family. Cousin Magda tells Magda that... (full context)

...Needing to get out of Australia, Magda travels to Warsaw; she goes to dinner with Magda Zawadzka ’s son and his wife. Magda hopes that she can finally lay to rest the... (full context)