The problem of time and identity in the autobiographical essay (Stefan Szymutko, Ryszard Przybylski) Cover Image

Problem czasu i tożsamości w eseju autobiograficznym (Stefan Szymutko, Ryszard Przybylski)
The problem of time and identity in the autobiographical essay (Stefan Szymutko, Ryszard Przybylski)

Author(s): Artur Hellich
Subject(s): Studies of Literature, Psychology of Self
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
Keywords: autobiography;time;identity;ego;self-awareness;self-consciousness;entity;essay;narrativity;subjectivity;intimate writing;self-expression;autonarrative;quasiautobiography

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to consider the relation between narrativity of autobiographical text and Kantian concept of transcendental entity. The author claims that the connection between time and identity of the subject, which is fundamental to modern autonarratives, can also function as a theoretical background in non-narrative intimate writing (e.g. an autobiographical essay). Examples of Szymutko’s and Przybylski’s works prove that selfconscious turn towards non-narrative forms of self-expression makes the Kantian concept of ego a negative, but (still) inherent waypoint. Stefan Szymutko’s Nagrobek Ciotki Cili (Aunt Cila’s Gravestone) and Ryszard Przybylski’s Uśmiech Demokryta (Democritus’ Smile) can be therefore described as quasi-autobiographies.

  • Issue Year: 4/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 129-141
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Polish