Jeden temat – dwa pióra. "Z Puszczy Białowieskiej" Henryka Sienkiewicza a "Białowieża w albumie" Zygmunta Glogera

Abstract

The article compares two pieces of reportage: Z Puszczy Białowieskiej (From Białowieża Forest) by Henryk Sienkiewicz (published in 1882) and Białowieża w albumie (Białowieża in an Album) by Zygmunt Gloger (published in 1903). Both texts were written after their common trip to Białowieża Forest in 1882. In the article, the author recognizes that the writers had different aims in creating the texts. Sienkiewicz had a plan to publish the reportage in “Słowo” from the beginning, while Gloger decided to write his article 20 years after the expedition. Then the author analyzes and interprets various stylistic components of both texts. Attention is paid to Sienkiewicz’s typical well-developed initiation of reportage, conventional use of colour terms, focus on depicting effects of light and darkness, and a positive side of depicting silence. Although both pieces of reportage contain some elements of yarns and humor, which makes them straightforward, Gloger’s reportage marks to a greater extent the components, which are conventional for the scientific style, such as erudition and polemics. The article shows how the same topic – inspired by one event – can grow in contrary directions.