Doświadczenie Wschodu w XVIII i XIX wieku w biografiach kobiet (na przykładzie Salomei Pilsztynowej, Ludwiki Śniadeckiej i Jadwigi Zamoyskiej)
18th and 19th C. Eastern Experience in Women Biography (on the Example of Salomea Pilsztynowa, Ludwika Śniadecka, and Jadwiga Zamoyska)

Summary/Abstract: The article presents three woman figures (Salomea Pilsztynowa <Salomée Halpir>, Ludwika Śniadecka, Jadwiga Zamoyska) who while travelling to Turkey in the 18th and 19th c. not only gained new experience, but also fulfilled – in conformity to their social situation and cultural-historical circumstances – ideal of a peculiar emancipation. Salomea Pilsztynowa wrote in the second half of the 18th c. her memories entitled “Proceder podróży i życia mego awantur (My Life’s Travels and Adventures)” (published in 1962). Jadwiga Zamoyska is the author of “Wspomnienia (Memories)” composed between 1893 and 1895 and published in 1961 in Maria Czapska’s preparation. Ludwika Śniadecka is presented in a biography by Maria Czapska which includes rare testimonies: fragments of letters by professor Jędrzej Śniadecki’s daughter. In the polish literature of that time such documents are uncommon as women travelled less often than men, and much rarely did they express recollections in writing. The female memories are thus more valuable in that they deconstruct the then Oriental discourse made by males engaged into political matters and trade. An important trait of the women authors is their national identification which includes elements of historical connections with the East as well as involvement into the current politics. The heroines’ meeting with the Orient means rejection of stereotypes, openness to the other, it enhances cognitive interest and ability of individual thinking. And it is in that way that it leads to the shaping of travelling women subjectivity.

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