"Rządy poezji". Młodopolska liryka- studia i interpretacje

Abstract

The book was divided into three parts. The first part contains the studies dedicated to various themes and motifs. It is opened by an analysis of the terms poetry and the lyric in the Young Poland age. The voices of prominent critics were brought up, which indicate a high level of self-consciousness, but also a distinctive treatment of the poetic word art, which differs from the ways of other times. Next, a panorama of the contemporary lyric poetry was presented, which appears very rich and varied. Development directions, artistic and worldview trends, along with their representatives, were characterized. Separately, the profiles of some less well-known poets and their achievements were introduced. The next study is the analysis of Genesis of the Young Poland’s lyrical version, including the religious and philosophical context. Not only were the most prominent poets’ works presented, but also those authored by the less popular ones. In an even bigger scope, the works of minorum gentium lyrical poets were brought to light in the following study devoted to the star motifs. It appears there are surprisingly original metaphors, also having a metaphorical sense. In the chapter Do women like the apocalypse? the answer to the titular question was looked for, with the help of the interpretation of a few Young Poland’s female poets. Apocalyptic motifs are fewer in the female lyric, but no less interesting that in their colleague writers’. The horse-rider motif was analyzed in the last chapter of the first part. Significant changes in the treatment of said motifs compared to the previous ages can be seen. In Young Poland’s lyric, a completely different type of the rider – horse relationship was established, which also has a worldview-artistic sense. The second part of the book, titled Interpretacje is comprised of analyses of particular poems. It is opened by Kazimierz Tetmajer’s Widziadło, which portrays a metamorphosis of the knight mythos which degraded under decadent tendencies, while still having some regenerative potential. The next poem is a series Tryumfy by less known poets such as Stanisław and Wincent Korab Brzozowski, recognized as one of the best Parnassian series in the Polish poetry. It was interpreted in the context of a long tradition of “triumphs”, beginning in ancient Rome, continued in a different form in the next ages. Brzozowski’s series seem to have a symbolic value. A separate chapter was devoted to the subject of ecstasy, very popular at the turn of the century and interestingly presented in the poems of a forgotten poet Anna Zahorska. It appears she presented her own version of ecstasy connected with the idea of a moral and religious purity. The last chapter of this part is concerned with the interpretation of four poems by different authors, where each poem is inspired by the one preceeding it. They form an original series of love lyric. Two studies included in Biograficzne dopowiedzenia concern Bronisława Ostrowska and Antoni Lange. They show events that are less known, but important in both poet’s biographies. The tragic history of Ostrowska’s mother was known as early as during the interwar period, then it becomes forgotten. Truth is, even the poet herself goes back to it and leaves clear marks in her work. Without the knowledge of the facts they will remain obscure. Antoni Lange’s Wspomnienia więzienne turn out to be an extraordinary text, it contains both a literary and documentary value. They were not paid any special attention until now. The biogram message, which concerns Lange’s work as an editor and his imprisonment require a correction. The most likely turn of events was based on various sources. The studies and interpretations contained within the book should expand the panorama of Young Poland’s lyric both the worldview and artistic trends. Bringing up the forgotten names and works indicates the lyric’s richness and a dynamic variety.