Odessa – obsesje Kraszewskiego

Abstract

The author analyses the image of Odessa in the prose of Józef Ignacy Kraszewski (1812–1887), first and foremost in his Wspomnienia Odessy, Jedysanu i Budżaku. Dziennik przejażdżki w roku 1843 od 22 czerwca do 11 września. (Memoirs from Odessa, Yedisan and Budjak. Diary of a Trip in 1843 from June 22 to September 11). The image of Odessa emerging from Kraszewski's Memoirs... , is not only the image of the city – its history, its monuments and citi zens, but also the image of nature – especially the sea. And the whole text is subordinated to the parent category – "a strange mixture". The author attempts to combine opposites: nature – culture, the present – the past, knowledge – direct experience, objective facts – subjective feelings. Only in this way was it possible to reflect the diversity and multifacetedness of Odessa. At the same time, however, it is an image of a subject getting to know the city and subordinated to its charm. The writer takes different roles here: both of a traveller and tourist, not hiding his delight of the place and the exotic wildlife, as well as an erudite and scholar, well-read in scientific discourses on history and economy. Thus, the Memoirs... are not only a beautiful literary monument of Odessa and an important historical document, but also an interesting record of Kraszewski's identity, its characteristics and creation.