Kazania Sejmowe Piotra Skargi w opinii współczesnych i potomnych. Przykład tworzenia się legendy literackiej

Abstract

An integral part of every national culture are personal patterns. The national community needs heroes. In every culture heroes are invariably a factor which integrates members of the group and boosts its self-esteem as a community. Hero worship increases in the difficult moments for the community, because memory about his/her accomplishments and attitude gives power to fight and hope of victory. The profile of Piotr Skarga fits perfectly that pattern. Different traits of the citizen's character were valuable during the Partitions of Poland, others during the reconstruction of Polish state after the Partitions. National Democracy [Polish: Narodowa Demokracja] placed the emphasis on something else, other virtues of Piotr Skarga were important for Sanation's [Polish: Sanacja] government. However Piotr Skarga always was in the consciousness of the society as a great Polish patriot who fought for welfare and unity of the beloved homeland.