“Spiritual affinity despite numerous opposites”. On the early works of Władysław Stanisław Reymont and Roman Dmowski

Abstract

This article attempts to reconstruct the artistic and ideological profile of Roman Dmowski and Władysław Stanisław Reymont at the time of their literary debuts. Although the men did not know each other personally at the time, they were involved in similar political, social or creative initiatives, were inspired by similar content, and had many friends in common at the time. Years later, however, both men distanced themselves from their early attitudes. Based on my research, I hypothesise that their main ideological background at the time was Polish socialism (independence socialism), and the social dominance of their work was concern for the fate of the simple folk. I base my conclusions primarily on an analysis of texts that these writers either did not publish in their lifetime or tried to conceal the fact of their publication (e.g. Dmowski’s Nie zapomną… and Odezwa zwana marcowa; Pracy! and Wigilia Bożego Narodzenia by Reymont), as well as on the basis of ideological characteristics of the circles (mainly the Warsaw ”Głos”) to which they belonged during the period in question.