How did Witold Gombrowicz satirize social and intellectual conventions in Ferdydurke?

In his seminal novel Ferdydurke (1937), Witold Gombrowicz satirizes social and intellectual conventions by presenting a grotesque image of contemporary society. He centers the narrative on a man who is forced into a state of childhood simply because others perceive and treat him as a child, illustrating his core belief in the innate immaturity of human beings.1

Gombrowicz uses this premise to critique how individuals rely on the shallow opinions and spurious knowledge of others to navigate the world. He depicts human interactions as inherently sadomasochistic, where people mask their own ignorance and uncertainty while simultaneously attempting to expose those same flaws in others. By challenging established norms, Gombrowicz aimed his sharp, idiosyncratic criticism at the intellectual elite and the rigid social structures of his time, positioning himself as an independent thinker who questioned the modern human condition.1