Pisarz w stresie. Cierń i laur Władysława Lecha Terleckiego

Abstract

This article is an attempt to analyse a novel Cierń i laur (Thorn and laurel) written by Władysław Lech Terlecki in terms of emotions. This analysis particularly concerns strong and long-term stress, which is experienced by the main character - writer, whose prototype was supposed to be Józef Ignacy Kraszewski. The writer, aged and popular, is a moral authority. Nevertheless, he has difficult time due to the celebration of the jubilee of his work. At the same time he is blackmailed because of his cooperation with a French spies. Moreover he is fascinated by a young, aspiring writer. He sees himself in confrontation with his own past and works by the young writers. The main character, famous Polish writer, compares himself with Victor Hugo. Cierń i laur is a record of thoughts and emotions caused by tensions and conflicts between sensuality and the limitations resulting from the function of the writer, the entanglement in politics and ageing.