WOBEC „CHWILI KRYTYCZNEJ”. JESZCZE RAZ O PRZEDMOWIE CYPRIANA NORWIDA DO "VADE-MECUM"
In the Face of a 'Critical Moment': Revisiting Cyprian Norwid’s Preface to 'Vade-mecum'

Summary/Abstract: The preface to the 'Vade-mecum' poetry collection is recognized as one of Cyprian Norwid’s most significant manifestos on literature. It has been viewed not only as a critical appraisal of the contemporary condition of Polish poetry and a visionary program for its renewal, but also as an articulation of Norwid’s intentions and his pioneering creative consciousness. However, the analysis presented in this article offers a somewhat different perspective. It argues that the preface to 'Vade-mecum' assumes a predominantly descriptive character: it identifies the “critical moment” in which Polish poetry is affected by conflicting tendencies, which simultaneously constrain and propel its development. Consequently, Polish poetry no longer serves its traditional roles ascribed to it, but it has not yet evolved into its future form either. This interpretation of the preface to Vade-mecum provides a valuable lens through which to read the entire collection, which also documents the crisis-ridden condition of poetry – when poetry becomes a blend of many forms of expression: “power” and “art,” including journalism, moral commentary, visual art, and ultimately, poetry itself.

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