Archeologia dziewiętnastowiecznej pamięci w insurekcyjnym tryptyku Jarosława Iwaszkiewicza („Noc czerwcowa”, „Zarudzie”, „Heydenreich”)
Archeology of the 19th Century Memory in Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz’s “Insurrection”– Triptych (June Night, Zarudzie, Heydenreich)

Summary/Abstract: Three short “insurrection” stories written by Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz in the years 1963–1974 have inspired various interpretations; it seems, however, that there are still many undeciphered codes, references, and allusions. The author’s metatextual comments as well as the implicit poetics of the stories make it possible to consider them as a dialogue with the historical, cultural and aesthetic heritage of the 19th century: as a form of its literary archeology. The article deals with many literary and aesthetic conventions employed in the stories, with the emphasis on the concept of 'sérénité' and on various associations with 19th-century art. Notably, the scope of analysis includes such motifs as, for example, Shakespearian stylization and the Dionissian topos in "June Night", the influence of plastic and musical arts in "Zarudzie" (here the central theme of Mahler’s song), the references to German Romantic lyrics, and Russian realistic prose in "Heydenreich". Besides irony, it is the aesthetization of Iwaszkiewicz’s prose that helps to make familiar the painful yet fascinating history of 19th century Poland.

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