Emanacja natchnienia czy towar? Problemy literatury i jej twórców wobec narodzin wolnego rynku w XIX wieku
Emanation of Inspiration or Just a Product? Chosen Examples of Problems that Literature and Writers Faced after the Birth of the Free Market in the 19th Century

Summary/Abstract: The article presents few chosen problems that literature and writers faced after the change of proportions between the fading lordly patronage established on centuries-old tradition and the birth of the free market in literature. In the article there are issues raised such as: disapproval of making literature a commodity, condemnation of money-driven booksellers and publishers, stormy relations between them and the wordsmiths, aversion towards the modern literary audience, which composed of people representing various material status and different level of education. The article reflects also on another 19th-century issue and that is the risk of creating cost-effective but yet poor quality literature, being on the other hand the answer to the public demand.The research perspective consists of the first six decades of the 19th century, the time in which the problems with the free market are seen best—that is the opportunities, risks and the perception of relations within the free market. At the close of the 19th century the free market is already established the comprehension of its laws excludes some of the former issues. At that point in time authors already understand that money doesn’t have to be a literature degenerating factor but rather one that accelerates its development.

• Details
• Contents