Narcyza Żmichowska – między Matką Polką a kobietą-rycerzem

Abstract

The patriotic ideology of the nineteenth century portrayed women in a stereotypical way as either idealized Polish mothers or women knights. Only such social roles allowed them to appear in the public discourse. The article focuses on the figure of Narcyza Żmichowska, writer, poet and political activist. Both her views and life demonstrate that she did not fit the model of woman proposed in the national-patriarchal discourse but rather subverted it. By rejecting sacrifice and martyrdom, Żmichowska proposed a new feminine identity and a unique vision of patriotism.