Czesław Miłosz’s Approach to Polish Literature: An Analysis of The History of Polish Literature
Czesław Miłosz’s Approach to Polish Literature: An Analysis of The History of Polish Literature

Summary/Abstract: The History of Polish Literature by Czesław Miłosz was an attempt to introduce Polish literature to English-speaking readers. The textbook was developed on the basis of the lectures given by Miłosz at the University of California, Berkeley. Miłosz proposed an approach to literary history that differed from the syntheses available up to that time. One of the author’s goals was to take a critical look at the established judgments in literary studies about individual authors, works, and phenomena. He also sought to present the history of Polish literature in such a way as to interest the audience; to this end, he endeavoured to refer to issues familiar to them, for example, from within Anglo-Saxon culture. Miłosz’s textbook received a rather critical reception among Polish reviewers; among other things, the author was accused of lacking objectivity, being too selective, simplifying certain issues, and even omitting important themes

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