Maria Konopnicka’s "Dym" as a Nineteenth-Century 'Vanitas' Trope Cover Image

„Dym” Marii Konopnickiej jako dziewiętnastowieczny trop „vanitas”
Maria Konopnicka’s "Dym" as a Nineteenth-Century 'Vanitas' Trope

Author(s): Beata K. Obsulewicz
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature
Published by: Towarzystwo Literackie im. Adama Mickiewicza
Keywords: Maria Konopnicka; "Dym" (short story); vanitas trope

Summary/Abstract: An attempt is offered at a reading of one of the best-known short stories by Maria Konopnicka in the context of vanitative topoi. The imaging in "Dym" is rooted in the biblical tradition, ancient culture and artistic tradition (e.g. substantial transitoriness of existence, theatrum mundi, life as a dream, etc.), which in Konopnicka’s oeuvre is masterly twined, in terms of literary technique, in a sophistically simple plot. Through the proposed analysis of this imaging, a need is indicated to reflect upon the reception of the vanitas notion in the output of authors of the latter half of 19th century.

  • Issue Year: XLVI/2011
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 176-189
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish