O warszawskich ogrodach Bolesława Prusa uwag kilka
A few comments on Bolesław Prus’ Warsaw gardens

Summary/Abstract: Prus always liked and appreciated natural landscapes. He considered them to be a part of the miracle of life. Repeatedly in his writings Prus expressed his admiration for every living creature and fought against wanton cruelty of people towards animals and plants. Prus’ attitude to nature could be compared to the stand ecologists take nowadays, but he was aware of the fact that when defending nature compromise solutions must be taken into account. Warsaw parks were the subject of his interest both in his journalistic work and in his novels. In the second half of his life he willingly visited the health resort in Nałęczów to rest and recruit his health in the parks. Warsaw Saski Garden was the subject of Prus’ early work, a scenic draft which belongs to the already forgotten so called “physiologies” i.e. reporter monographs of places and professions. Saski Garden together with the biggest park of Warsaw city centre, Łazienki, were also often described by Prus in weekly chronicles. Some of the main motifs in {The Doll} are set in Łazienki Park. Prus’ descriptions of gardens are full of humour e.g. the water in Saski Garden pond is often so murky “as if European politics has been bathed in it”. Prus notes down amusing behaviours as well as hooligans’ actions and even, once, the presence of muggers. However, in the picture of reality painted by Prus, which is often marked with bitterness and covered with sadness, the parks of the city belong to the area of desired peace from the troubles of everyday life.

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